Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) has officially opened something huge — and it’s right inside the city’s famous blue dome. The new MOSI Planetarium Tampa is now the largest digital dome theater in Florida and the second largest in the U.S., just a few feet smaller than the one in New Jersey.
It’s part of a bigger wave of new things happening around Tampa Bay in 2025, and it’s worth checking out.
Inside MOSI’s New Digital Dome
Walking into the new planetarium feels like you’re leaving Earth for a while. MOSI’s massive 8-story-tall screen, ten 8K projectors, laser light system, and custom speakers all work together to completely surround you in whatever world you’re visiting — from outer space to underwater scenes to full-on laser music shows (yes, there’s a Taylor Swift one coming).
Some quick highlights:
- Over 300 seats (so no more school kids getting left out of a field trip show)
- Seven times bigger than the old Saunders Planetarium
- 360-degree movies, space shows, and special concerts
Why This Matters for Tampa Bay
This isn’t just about bigger screens and cooler shows. Local leaders say it’s part of growing Tampa’s role as a hub for science, innovation, and education. Thanks to new partnerships, every fourth grader in Hillsborough County will get to visit MOSI every year — giving a lot of kids the chance to get inspired by science in a seriously cool setting.
The new planetarium also anchors the larger plans for the Uptown Innovation District, the area around USF that’s getting major redevelopment attention.
Make a Day Out of It
If you’re thinking about visiting, grab a few friends and make a day of it. Catch a show at the new planetarium, then hit up some of the restaurants or coffee shops nearby. It’s the kind of spot that’s fun with a crew — especially with so much new energy around the MOSI campus.
Resources:
- More info and tickets: https://mosi.org