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The newly reopened planetarium at Heureka Science Centre is not just back – it has been completely reimagined, and now ranks among the finest planetariums in Europe.
After more than a year of renovation, Heureka’s planetarium has emerged as a spectacular, state-of-the-art experience. Originally opened in 1989, the venue has undergone a total transformation. The projection dome, visual technology and interior spaces have all been rebuilt from the ground up. What visitors encounter today is one of Europe’s brightest, most richly coloured and most detailed immersive environments.
There is nothing else like it in Finland. The new projection dome measures 18 metres in diameter, with a reflective surface area of 710 square metres – more than twice the size of the screen in Finland’s only IMAX cinema. Once inside, the sense of scale is immediate: the screen stretches above and around you, filling your entire field of vision.
The visual leap is just as dramatic. With a resolution exceeding 10K, the image now contains roughly six times more pixels than the previous 4K system. This places Heureka’s planetarium among a small elite: only five planetariums in Europe currently offer 10K resolution. The image is created using 12 laser projectors, while the seamless new dome eliminates visual breaks, making the illusion of depth and motion utterly convincing. Brightness has also been significantly enhanced, giving space scenes an almost three-dimensional intensity.
Sound has received an equally impressive upgrade. Traditional surround sound has been replaced with a Dolby Atmos system, with speakers positioned all around the dome. The result is a fully enveloping audio experience that moves with the image – subtle, powerful and deeply immersive.
And the effect is immediate. As the lights dim and the film begins, the outside world disappears. You are no longer watching a screen – you feel like you are part of the film.
We tested the renewed planetarium with Asteroid Quest, a film that explores how scientists study asteroids using space probes. It unfolds like a science thriller, revealing the mysteries of these ancient rocks and showing how researchers are learning to alter asteroid trajectories to prevent catastrophic collisions with Earth. Education and entertainment blend seamlessly.
The programme also includes The Stellars – Tähtijengi, aimed at primary school-aged children, and Recombination, the latest mesmerising fulldome work by Dutch fractal artist Julius Horsthuis.
Beyond films, the planetarium offers intriguing future possibilities. With suitable filming technology, it could provide a remarkably immersive way to experience live sports, concerts or other large-scale events.
The renovation itself was a major undertaking. The total cost was approximately €5.6 million, including a €2 million special grant from Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture. Construction was carried out by NCC, whose representatives described the project as exceptionally demanding: the planetarium contains almost no straight angles at all; every surface curves, leaving virtually no room for error.
Accessibility has also been carefully improved. Lighting has been redesigned, wheelchair spaces optimised, and stairs and walkways made easier to navigate. Films spoken in Finnish can be listened to via headphones in Swedish, English and Easy Finnish.