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Planetariums
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Picture of a black hole

Experience UNIVIEW

ZEISS Planetariums

Powerful possibilities. Intuitive control.

Stunning three-dimensional visualizations

  • Volumetric models
  • Black hole
  • Kepler with exoplanets
  • Lagrange Points and James Web Space Telescope
  • Spacecraft and missions

Explore the known universe in real time with ZEISS UNIVIEW. Designed for presenting and teaching astronomy, astrophysics, and other sciences, the software combines scientific visualization with intuitive navigation. From Earth to the largest structures in the universe, everything is only a few clicks away.

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  • Explore a Schwarzschild black hole with a customizable background panorama, adjustable accretion disk, and simulated relativistic jets.

  • Explore major space missions through detailed 3D models of spacecraft, their trajectories, and mission targets.

  • Discover distant exoplanetary systems such as Kepler-1647, where a giant planet orbits two Sun-like stars.

  • Explore cosmic structures across vast scales, supported by grids, labels, and distance markers.

  • Explore the three-dimensional structure of astronomical objects with detailed volumetric models.

Real-time storytelling

  • Bring the universe to life

    With its extensive range of features, ZEISS UNIVIEW provides a powerful foundation for live presentations and interactive storytelling. Presenters can take their audiences on a journey through the solar system, follow space missions, discover distant exoplanetary systems, and venture far beyond the Milky Way to explore the large-scale structure of the universe. Seamless navigation across vast scales and multiple viewing perspectives makes complex astronomical concepts easier to understand. The freedom to respond spontaneously to questions and interests allows presenters to shape each journey around their audience, creating compelling stories and engaging learning experiences.

  • Beyond the Milky Way

    A universe full of galaxies

    Start at our own Milky Way, travel to the neighboring Andromeda Galaxy, and journey onward through thousands of galaxies, revealing their distribution across the vast expanse of our cosmic neighborhood.

  • Space exploration

    Chasing a Metal Asteroid

    ZEISS UNIVIEW brings the latest developments in space exploration to the dome. Take NASA’s Psyche mission, for example: Follow the spacecraft on its journey to (16) Psyche, a unique metal-rich asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Explore a detailed model of the spacecraft, trace its trajectory through the solar system, and preview its future orbits around the asteroid. 

  • Worlds far from our own

    Discover distant planetary systems

    Travel to distant planetary systems such as Kepler-90, where eight known planets circle a star similar to our Sun. From small inner worlds to larger outer planets, the entire system is remarkably compact. Explore its structure in three dimensions and discover both familiar patterns and striking differences compared with our solar system.

  • Stars in motion

    Explain binary star systems

    What first appears to be a single star reveals its true nature as you approach: Kepler-1 is a binary system consisting of a Sun-like primary and a faint stellar companion. Visualize their motion around a common center of mass and explore the dynamics of two gravitationally bound stars.

  • Tell stories your way

    ZEISS UNIVIEW combines intuitive operation with a user interface that presenters can tailor to their needs. During preparation, they can combine astronomical objects, functions, and scripts into dedicated panels that structure the narrative. Automated transitions connect the different stages of the story, while speaker notes and presentation-specific buttons guide presenters step by step through the live session. Wireless control via a tablet and browser-based interface gives them the freedom to move around the dome, interact directly with the audience, and adapt the story as it unfolds.

  • Extend UNIVIEW with your own content

    ZEISS UNIVIEW is an open software platform that can be extended with your own data and media. Add individual objects, integrate modules created by other users, or incorporate map data from online WMS sources and update selected resources whenever required. From astronomical datasets to custom 3D models and entirely new subject areas, UNIVIEW gives you the flexibility to expand the content available in your dome.

True Hybrid control

  • A seamless journey from sky to space

    For planetariums committed to an authentic representation of the night sky, the opto-mechanical star projector remains an essential part of the experience. ZEISS UNIVIEW combines its exceptionally brilliant stars with the diverse capabilities of digital fulldome projection. Object positions, movements, astronomical processes, and visual content are synchronized across both systems with exceptional spatial and temporal precision. This precise coordination enables seamless transitions from Earth-based astronomy to free flight through space, bringing together the strengths of optical and digital projection in a true hybrid planetarium system.

Expand your dome beyond astronomy

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    Bring any application to the dome

    UNIVIEW Open Dome

    ZEISS UNIVIEW Open Dome transforms the dome into a 360-degree monitor. External applications, presentations, browser content, videos, and custom visualizations can be transmitted directly from a connected computer, with no prior rendering or conversion required. Fisheye content fills the entire dome, while conventional video formats can be positioned flexibly. Uncompressed real-time processing at resolutions of up to 4K × 4K and 60 Hz ensures smooth, high-quality visuals

  • Example from the Unity real-time production "Dive into the Jura Sea" by Prof. Dr. Michael Bauer, Steinbeiszentrum paracam

    Transform your dome into an interactive world

    ENGINE Connect

    ZEISS ENGINE connect brings Unity-based applications to the planetarium, enabling audiences to explore virtual environments in education, architecture, gaming, and beyond. Use existing third-party content or bring your own Unity applications to the dome.

Intuitive control

Navigate the universe with confidence

The intuitive graphical user interface makes navigating the universe remarkably easy. Virtual flights, camera rotations, position changes, and astronomical objects can be controlled directly, with every action displayed in real time. Smooth, responsive navigation makes it easy for beginners to explore the universe, while advanced functions give experienced users the flexibility and precision required for sophisticated presentations.

Key functions at a glance

The browser-based control interface gives you a clear overview of key planetarium functions. Manage projection, dome lighting, audio, external devices, live presentations, and show playback from a tablet. Clearly arranged and customizable control pages keep frequently used functions within easy reach, supporting efficient day-to-day operation.

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