Dorrance DOME

The Dorrance DOME is Arizona's most advanced digital planetarium, housed inside the Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix. The facility features an 8K full-dome digital projection system that transforms the curved ceiling above visitors into a living screen for astronomical journeys — flying through the solar system, diving into nebulae, and exploring galaxy formations in a scale and clarity that makes the cosmos feel genuinely comprehensible rather than abstractly vast.

For families, the Dorrance DOME represents one of the best science engagement experiences available in the Phoenix metro area. Planetarium shows are specifically programmed for different age ranges: shorter, more accessible presentations for young children and longer, more scientifically detailed programs for older kids and teens. The physical experience of reclining in a seat while the entire 360-degree ceiling above you becomes a star field or the surface of Mars is something that print and screen-based astronomy education simply cannot replicate.

The DOME is part of the Arizona Science Center complex, which means families typically combine the planetarium with the science center's extensive interactive exhibits — a full day's worth of STEM engagement for children. Science Center membership provides free or discounted access to DOME shows.

Note the unusual closure schedule: the DOME is closed on Saturdays (and Mondays), which requires careful planning for weekend visitors. Check the schedule and book show times in advance, especially on school holidays.

This listing appears under the Sedona city_slug due to a data pipeline geography issue; the DOME is in downtown Phoenix, approximately 2 hours south of Sedona.