IPS 2026 #3: The Future of Planetariums, Immersive Audio & Fulldome Tech

Are planetariums stuck in a traditional astronomy loop, or are they ready to become the ultimate hubs for modern entertainment? In the final episode of our special IPS mini-series, we dive deep into the tangible shifts happening under the dome. Forget passive star-gazing, we are talking about breaking traditional space monopolies, utilizing Japanese anime to pack the house with young audiences, and the cutting-edge reality of producing content with 8K VR drones. Plus, we explore how to inject gamification into your programming, and why you don't need a massive budget to master immersive sound if you know how to calibrate acoustics using just your own ears.Tomasz Banyś (Head of Planetarium at EC1 Łódź, Poland) with practical, budget-friendly advice on how to master immersive sound and calibrate dome acoustics using your own ears.Thor Metzinger (Video Producer at Fiske Planetarium, US) on the evolution of fulldome production—from stitched cameras to 8K VR drones—and why shared dome experiences (like the Las Vegas Sphere) will always beat isolated VR headsets.Filip Veselý (CTO & Co-founder of Krutart, Czechia) on why planetariums must break traditional astronomy monopolies and how Japanese anime can attract the next generation of audiences.Ubbo Grassmann (Director of Stuttgart Planetarium, Germany) on introducing gamification and interactivity under the dome, plus his top tips for networking and collaborating within the global planetarium community.Keywords: IPS 2026, planetarium, fulldome production, immersive audio, VR drones, Stuttgart Planetarium, Krutart, Fiske Planetarium, EC1 Łódź, future of planetariums, dome techGet in touch: [email protected]