• Wits University Council and Anglo American have committed R20 million and R55 million to the project’s first two phases.
• Construction of these phases will be complete in 2023 with the Digital Dome expected to be open to the public in 2024.
• The building will now be known as the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome.

The iconic Wits Planetarium is being upgraded and Anglo American has announced a financial commitment to the project which also puts the corporation’s name on the building.

The Wits Anglo American Digital Dome, as the building will now be known, is undergoing a refurbishment. This will see the installation of a new state-of-the-art digital projection system, auditorium seating as well as Science and Technology Exploratorium. The refurbishment will take place in three stages.

So far, R75 million has been secured for the project with Anglo American contributing R55 million and the Wits University Council providing R20 million to the project.

“We are creating a high-tech 360° IMAX-like theatre, just better,” director of the Wits Centre for Astrophysics and SKA Chair in Radio Astronomy at Wits, Roger Deane said in a statement.

“The Digital Dome will provide an incredible theatre experience, but it will also serve a greater purpose – it will assist researchers across all disciplines to visualise data in a profound way,” Deane adds.

Construction on the Digital Dome is expected to be complete by 2023, although opening will only take place in 2024.

“As one of Africa’s leading Universities, Wits continues to play a vital role in providing access to education, not only to its students but the broader South African public too. The new Wits Anglo American Digital Dome will be a truly world-class and accessible centre that will inspire generations to take an active interest in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and the digital arts,” chief executive at Anglo American Duncan Wanblad said in a statement sent to Hypertext.

The third stage of the refurbishment will see the construction of a research focused building with open-plan office space for visiting researchers. It will also include a creative studio, film and sound production facilities which will allow Wits to create its own digital science engagement content.

In other local space news, earlier this month NASA announced it would set up a Lunar Exploration Ground Site in Matjiesfontein to assist with communications during the Artemis missions.

The first phase of these missions lifted off last week following a spate of delays caused by fuel leaks and hurricane.