The Wits Anglo American Digital Dome: All About the Johannesburg Planetarium’s Upcoming Shows

A state-of-the-art Wits Anglo American Digital Dome opened on 1 February 2025 after undergoing major refurbishments. Formerly known as the Johannesburg Planetarium, the new space anticipates to forever change how South Africans teach, research, and engage with science, technology, business, sport, the humanities and the arts, in a multidisciplinary facility. Here’s all you need to know about the digital art destination.

What’s new at the Wits Anglo Digital Dome

The new Wits Anglo Digital Dome offers a 360° immersive experience for visitors of all ages, with a variety of weekly shows for young and old. It also serves as a modern teaching venue and a collaborative research space where scientists and students can visualise their work – be it in big data, astrophysics, the digital arts, artificial medicine, microbiology, or precision medicine.

Initially completed in 1960, the old Planetarium was the first full sized Planetarium in Africa. The new Digital Dome is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, made possible through an investment of R90 million from Anglo American and Wits University.

On show at the Digital Dome:

From Earth to the Universe

In “From Earth to the Universe”, viewers are immersed in the various worlds of the solar system and feel the wild blazing of the sun, being taken to the colourful birthplaces of the stars, and to their cemeteries.

Behind the borders of the Milky Way, the unimaginable infinity awaits with its myriads of galaxies. Along the way, learn about the history of astronomy, the invention of the telescope and the current gigantic telescopes that allow us to penetrate the universe ever deeper.

Cost: R45pp for kids and pensioners, R75pp for adults. Book via Webtickets

When: Running until 31 October on select Saturdays at 2pm
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg

Wits Digital Dome The Amazing Telescope | What's on in Joburg

Two small pieces of Glass – The Amazing Telescope

“Two small pieces of Glass – The Amazing Telescope” follows interactions of two students with an astronomer at a local star party. The students learn the history of the telescope from Galileo’s modifications to a child’s spyglass, using two small pieces of glass, to the launch of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy.

Aiming to engage and appeal to audiences of all ages, the show explores the wonder and discoveries made in the last 400 years.

Cost: R45pp for kids and pensioners, R75pp for adults. Book via Webtickets

When: Select Saturdays at 10am
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg

Wits Digital Dome shows | What's on in Joburg

3-2-1 Liftoff!

Alan is a brilliant but underestimated hamster scientist living in a junkyard. One day, a mysterious crash leaves a crater in his garden; inside is a damaged robot that fell from orbit. Alan soon learns the spaceship is taking off again tomorrow. This sets off a fast-paced and heartfelt adventure about getting the robot back to space in time. Suitable for 6 to12 year olds.

Cost: R45pp for kids and pensioners, R75pp for adults. Book via Webtickets

When: Select Saturdays at 10am
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg

Little Explorers

In this interactive science-filled space adventure, young viewers become “little explorers” on a guided journey through the Universe. The adventure takes them through the Solar System, outward to discover other stars, how constellations help us map the night sky, and how scientists study the universe using telescopes and light.

The show is appropriate for children aged 5 and up.

Cost: R45pp for kids, students and pensioners, R75pp for adults. Book via Webtickets

When: Select Saturdays at 10am
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg

The Sky Tonight

In this hour-long traditional live planetarium show, attendees explore what is visible in the evening skyr; from bright planets and seasonal constellations to the Moon and deep-sky wonders, and discover how the sky helps mark time.

Designed for teens and adults, but curious younger children above 5 years with good attention spans are welcome.

Cost: R45pp for kids, students and pensioners, R75pp for adults. Book via Webtickets

When: Select Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm; Select Saturdays at 10am
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg

“We have created a high-tech 360 immersive experience,” says Dr Moumita Aich, the Head of the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome. “Visitors, students and researchers will enjoy an immersive experience and will feel as if they are part of the shows – whether they are gliding through the middle of the International Space Station or following a herd of wildebeest through the migrations in the Serengeti. These shows aim to entertain people of all ages, with different interests, using the latest technology – the possibilities are infinite.” Below are some of the highlights:

The original Zeiss projector has been replaced by 10 brand new digital projectors to render an 8k full dome resolution. Each projector has its own image generator, which is controlled by a master computer
The sound in the Digital Dome has also been upgraded to an 8.2 audio system
The refurbished facility includes the new digital projection and sound systems and auditorium seating, with the possible future creation of a Science and Technology Exploratorium
A new north wing expansion houses operational offices, exhibition areas, and specialised spaces for Digital Dome show planning and design