PHOTOS inside MOSI’s massive Digital Dome Theatre in Tampa

a brilliant purple and pink cloud burst is shown on am massive screen

Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) is bringing the universe to life in a bold new way (4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL). After months of precise preparation, the highly anticipated Digital Dome Theatre will officially open on April 1, 2025. Guests will step inside the museum’s iconic blue dome to experience cutting‑edge visuals on a massive 10,000‑square‑foot curved screen.

The transformation took 13 weeks to erect the NanoSeam screen and install 10 state‑of‑the‑art Christie digital projectors. In January and February, technicians configured the Digistar control system, fine‑tuned seating, and added immersive lighting. The result is one of the largest and most advanced planetariums in the U.S.

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a spherical dome theatre from the outside surrounded by a turf field

The most breathtaking experience in Tampa

Visitors can catch multiple daily showtimes featuring:

  • Live night-sky tours led by MOSI space experts
  • 360-degree immersive films exploring the solar system, the sun’s surface, and ancient wonders

One show is included with general admission; additional shows cost $5.

The earth is shown from outer space with a satellite floating around it

One of the nation’s top STEM experiences

Before opening to the public, the Digital Dome Theatre hosted its first field trip for Hillsborough County students. That evening, Clearwater native and astronaut Nicole Stott headlined a VIP grand opening event.

“This is a game‑changer for Tampa Bay,” said MOSI CEO John Graydon Smith. “We can’t wait for jaws to drop when guests see how this multi‑million‑dollar upgrade has created one of the nation’s top STEM experiences.”

a desert environment shown inside a Planetarium at MOSI

The biggest opening this spring in Tampa Bay

Replacing MOSI’s Saunders Planetarium—which last operated inside the dome in 2017—the new Digital Dome Theatre features an 8K projection system that delivers a brighter, sharper, and more immersive experience than ever before. Thanks to private, foundation, and community support, MOSI continues to redefine how visitors explore science and space in Tampa Bay.

a blue planet on a large screen inside a dome theatre at MOSI

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