Brilliant stars, bright planets and spectacular galaxies

• 100th anniversary on 18 July 2026: the ZEISS Planetarium Jena presents itself in new splendor

• Reopening with innovative ZEISS technology for digital sky projections and a comprehensively upgraded star projector
  

Jena, Germany | 16 July 2026 | ZEISS Planetariums

Even before the first star projector at the Deutsches Museum thrilled audiences in 1924, a test installation on the roof of the ZEISS plants in Jena attracted more than 80,000 visitors. “The Miracle of Jena” began its triumphal march around the world in Jena, where Walther Bauersfeld developed it, and the city was among the first to build a planetarium. The now extensively modernized building, reopened for its 100th anniversary, is associated with a second pioneering engineering achievement that still shapes the construction of spherical domes today: Bauersfeld developed an especially light, thin reinforced-concrete dome to enable large domes for star projections.

For its 100th anniversary, the ZEISS Planetarium Jena has undergone comprehensive modernisation. The dome has been painstakingly refurbished, and a unique 3D sound system – one of a kind in Europe – has been installed. The heart of the planetarium, the ZEISS UNIVERSARIUM star projector, has been thoroughly overhauled. The ZEISS Planetariums team has reworked the fixed stars and installed new star plates. The planets have been converted to LED illumination. Experts have given the projector an extensive cleaning and carried out elaborate maintenance on its optical, mechanical and electrical components.

“The ZEISS Planetarium Jena is the oldest planetarium in the world still in operation and, like the star projector itself, a landmark in the history of technology. After the comprehensive modernisation work, it now boasts one of the most innovative planetarium systems worldwide and will amaze visitors with unique 3D sound, spectacular shows in the highest resolution, and brilliantly projected stars and planets.” – Dr Nicole Nelles, Head of ZEISS Planetariums

The ZEISS UNIVERSARIUM, following the first installation of a Model I in 1926, is the fourth projector in the Jena dome and has been in operation since 1996. Optical star projectors from ZEISS are extremely durable and often remain in service for more than 50 years. ZEISS regularly inspects and maintains them for this purpose.

The innovation that will particularly amaze visitors in future is the new digital system, which can be experienced with full-dome projections or in hybrid operation together with the UNIVERSARIUM. The eleven installed ZEISS VELVET 4K projectors provide an 8K resolution for the dome, delivering exceptionally detailed, brilliant images.

The digital projectors from ZEISS achieve a contrast ratio of 1:5,000,000 – meaning they can immerse the dome in deepest black, against which stars shine especially brightly, and display images that impress with color, brilliance and immersion. This gives the ZEISS Planetarium Jena one of the most advanced hybrid planetarium systems worldwide.

“Planetariums keep reinventing themselves time and again, with innovative technologies such as digital projection, with breathtaking formats and shows for science communication, with ideas like fulldome festivals. The Jena Planetarium is a great example of this, and we are very pleased that, for its 100th anniversary, both the building and its technology can be experienced in new splendor.” – Dr Nicole Nelles, Head of ZEISS Planetariums

From Jena as the birthplace of the planetarium, new impulses continue to emerge. ZEISS Planetariums, based in Jena, are carrying forward the history of innovation that began with Walter Bauersfeld more than 100 years ago. New optical and digital technologies are expanding the possibilities for turning presentations of science, art and entertainment into immersive experiences under the dome.

The worldwide success story also thrives on the fact that planetariums constantly develop new formats, continually inspire young people anew with their offerings, and keep dome projections relevant for broad audiences. The ZEISS Planetarium Jena combines its unique tradition with continuous innovation. The 20th FullDome Festival, with scientific and artistic shows by outstanding artists, institutions and studios from all over the world, is an impressive example of this.