https://www.miningweekly.com

Johannesburg Planetarium relaunches as Wits Anglo American Digital Dome

Wits vice-chancellor and principal Professor Zeblon Vilakazi

Wits vice-chancellor and principal Professor Zeblon Vilakazi

29th November 2024

By: Sabrina Jardim

Creamer Media Online Writer

     

Font size: - +

The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), in partnership with diversified mining company Anglo American, has relaunched the old Johannesburg Planetarium as the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome, after major refurbishments.

Wits has noted that 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.

The new Wits Anglo Digital Dome offers a 360° immersive experience for visitors of all ages, with a variety of shows.

“It will also serve 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.

“The development of Johannesburg is intrinsically intertwined with the origins and growth of Wits, Anglo American and mining,” Wits said in a media statement.

Speaking at a media premiere on November 13, Wits vice-chancellor and principal Professor Zeblon Vilakazi described the planetarium as a multidisciplinary space that integrates elements from areas such as the humanities, arts, science, technology and mathematics.

Reflecting on the partnership between Wits and Anglo American, he reiterated the importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors.

“What [the Digital Dome] will do will be to enable us to reimagine as we are evolving in the modalities of teaching and learning in the advent of AI. So this is where the future will be; the future is being created now,” said Vilakazi

The original Zeiss projector has been replaced with ten 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.

Wits has noted that the refurbished facility includes the new digital projection, 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.

The Wits Anglo American Digital Dome will enter a pilot phase from November to the end of January 2025 and is expected to open its doors to the broader public in February 2025.

The first shows to be viewed in the Digital Dome include a set of six full dome shows, donated by the American Museum of National History.

“This is indeed an inspiring venue. We have transformed the 64-year-old Johannesburg Planetarium into this 360°, high-tech immersive auditorium,” said Wits Anglo American Digital Dome head Dr Moumita Aich.

“In this Digital Dome, what you will be able to see is not just astronomy shows, but a variety of shows, anything from scientific documentaries to 360° animated shows for children, so that you can have coverage for all age groups,” she added.

Wits and Anglo American will make funds available to provide access to learners from selected quintile one to three schools to attend shows at no cost at the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome during 2025.

“Phase 3 of the project entails building a wing which will house studios and look towards developing content locally in conjunction with the Wits School of Arts, Digital Arts, the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, and other partners.

“It will also link to Wits’ new AI Institute that was launched on November 19 in the Digital Dome,” said Wits.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

Latest News

Attendees at the latest AMLA workshop
Opinion: Strengthening Africa’s mining future – the crucial role of legal expertise
6th December 2024

Showroom

Actom image
Actom

Your one-stop global energy-solution partner

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Klüber Lubrication
Klüber Lubrication

Klüber Lubrication ensures that the world’s essential systems—drive units, machines, and water flow—operate efficiently, sustainably, and reliably...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Magazine round up | 06 December 2024
Magazine round up | 06 December 2024
6th December 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.046 0.073s - 125pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now