PHOTO GALLERY: The world's largest LED planetarium opens in Prague

Prague Planetarium is set to reopen its doors on June 14–15 following a major two-year renovation. The result is a state-of-the-art, fully digital LED dome—now the largest of its kind in the world—ushering in a new era of immersive astronomical education and entertainment.

Funded by the City of Prague with a total investment of CZK 300 million, the refurbishment represents a significant leap in both technology and design. From a cutting-edge LED projection system to new custom seating and enhanced accessibility, the overhaul aims to redefine how audiences interact with space-themed content.

At the heart of the transformation is a revolutionary 22-meter-wide LED dome, constructed by U.S.-based company Cosm. Comprising more than 45 million display points across 12,000 specialized panels, the new dome is capable of rendering visuals with brightness and contrast levels far beyond those of traditional projectors.

According to Cosm’s COO Kirk Johnson, the project “sets a new international standard for planetariums and will inspire institutions for years to come.”

The LED technology not only produces unprecedented image clarity and depth but also significantly extends the system's lifespan—up to four times longer than conventional projection setups. The system enables an almost three-dimensional illusion on a two-dimensional surface, allowing visitors to experience the universe in ways previously not possible.

The revamped space will debut with a special 20-minute looped show during the reopening weekend, showcasing the capabilities of the dome through night-sky simulations and dynamic demonstrations. As part of Prague Museum Night on June 14, the Planetarium will remain open into the late evening.

According to Planetarium Director Jakub Rozehnal, early previews have amazed all who’ve seen the system. “What visitors will experience is truly one of a kind,” he said. “Everyone we’ve shown it to has been absolutely stunned.”