22 JANUARY 2026 By Sherry Sklar First-time visitors to the new Dorrance DOME at Arizona Science Center are often awestruck by its immersive ability to transport them to another realm. Some visitors are even moved to the verge of tears. The center is in the midst of a renewal plan to bring the best in science and technology to the region, with the DOME being part of a larger investment to position it as a premier cultural asset in Phoenix. The project, a $10 million technology upgrade to the planetarium, features advanced LED panels and audio systems. Opening to the public in October 2025, the new space is powered by the cutting-edge Cosm CX System, which produces spellbinding 8K Ultra HD visuals, rendering images in breathtaking detail. The venue seats 200 and offers programming for the community, with produced shows and events designed to appeal to different interests. There are even yoga classes that elevate yogis to another plane with immersive visuals and sound. Since its opening, the new planetarium has already shifted perceptions of what a science experience can be. A field trip to Cosm’s headquarters in Salt Lake City instantly convinced board members and leadership that its next- generation technology was a must-have for the new planetarium. Sari Custer, Chief of Science & Curiosity, oversees exhibits and traveling exhibitions at the center. “I was blown away in 15 seconds, and our CEO agreed. We brought some board members, and they said ‘it took you 10 seconds too long,’” Custer laughed. After several years of imagining what the planetarium could become, the project moved from planning to action in late 2023, when internal demolition began to clear the existing structure. Construction officially began in early 2024, and over the next 20 months, the existing space was transformed through an unusually complex process. Guided by the DLR Group and Ryan Companies, the dome was a rare undertaking given how seldom planetariums are rebuilt from the ground up. They used the existing envelope, but had to rethink the weight of all the new electronics. “The original 60-foot sphere was suspended in the space,” Custer said. “Replacing it with a 60-foot LED version meant supporting more weight, so the entire system had to be rebuilt.” With 9,025 panels and over 40 million LEDs, the system creates a seamless, crystal-clear projection overhead. Unlike traditional projection-based planetariums, the LED system allows imagery to appear sharper, brighter, and more dimensional, even during scenes that transition quickly or include fine detail. The technology also eliminates the shadowing and edge distortion common to older systems, creating a visual field that feels less like a screen and more like a window. For visitors, the result is not simply better resolution, but a heightened sense of presence. The convergence of need, opportunity, and donor support came together at just the right time. The Dorrance Family Foundation and Richard F. Caris Charitable Trust helped make this dream a reality. “We had wonderful, motivated supporters who made it possible,” Custer said. “This was a multi- million-dollar project, and we had the backing we needed.” The theater is highly adaptable thanks to a revised layout that promotes flexibility. A leveled front floor now allows 88 of 205 seats, manufactured by Kotobuki Seating, to be removed for special events and diverse forms of programming. Arizona Science Center may still surprise those who’ve yet to visit. “There are a lot of folks who don’t yet know that they are science center people,” Custer said. “We’ve got a lot of really cool things to show you.” While the center supports science, it also supports artists and creators who make Phoenix unique. Art 360 is the Dorrance DOME’s signature evening series, bringing together music and immersive visuals produced for the planetarium setting. “We want to be not just a community center, but the center of community for people,” Custer said. “We want to be your first thought, both for science and everything else.” The most gratifying moments are when visitors have that “aha” moment that sparks conversation and awareness that science is woven into everyday life, from baking to computer games to gardening. And now, the new technology helps nurture those discussions through its immersive experience and sense of wonder. azscience.org A new era for Arizona science: Enter the DOME The DOME is a $10 million tech upgrade that is made up of over 40 million LED lights and over 9,000 panels. PHOTOS COURTESY OF AZ SCIENCE CENTER

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