DETROIT, Mich. – A newly renovated planetarium is giving visitors to Detroit’s Michigan Science Center a sharper view of the universe, with what the center says is the only 8K projection system in a planetarium anywhere in Michigan.
The Michigan Science Center, located in Detroit’s Midtown cultural district, recently reopened its planetarium after renovations. The planetarium features 10 projectors that deliver 8K resolution. “So imagine six, four K televisions all around you,” said Paulette Epstein, the center’s director of science partnerships and staff astronomer.
The upgraded system allows the planetarium to display what Epstein described as “amazing images,” including “things like the Great Orion Nebula in from the James Webb Space Telescope.”
The planetarium’s dome is 50 feet, and the center offers live, interactive shows. One of them is “Hyperspace, a stellar odyssey,” which Epstein said is “presented by Stellantis.”
“That show is a field trip to the moon that goes awry,” Epstein said. “So we get to check out all sorts of things in our galaxy and even beyond.”
Before the reopening in December, the planetarium had not been redone since 2001, the center said.
“If you come in here for a night sky show, you’re gonna learn all about all the things that you can see up in the nighttime sky tonight and even get a chance to take a close up look at some of the objects like Jupiter and maybe Saturn that are up in our sky tonight without having to leave your seats,” Epstein said.
The Detroit Science Center opened in 1978. Over the years, it underwent expansions and renovations, including a 2001 project that grew the building to more than 110,000 square feet. Ten years later, a financial crisis forced the science center to close. In 2012, philanthropic community leaders came together to found the nonprofit Michigan Science Center.
Today, the Michigan Science Center has “over 200 hands-on exhibits,” Epstein said, including spaces designed for young children. “Our five-and-under space is called Kiddstown. It’s a really fantastic place to hang out,” she said. “We also have hands-on exhibits all around.”
“When you come to the Michigan Science Center, if you are any age, be prepared to learn and play,” Epstein said.