Guide · 5 min read
Planetarium & Fulldome Experiences
The shared, headset-free form of XR — what fulldome is, where to watch it, and how it connects to VR and the immersive web in 2026.
Fulldome in one sentence
Fulldome is immersive 360° cinema projected onto the inside of a dome. You sit back, look up, and the image wraps around your peripheral vision — the original form of XR, predating VR headsets by decades and still one of the most impressive shared immersive formats.
How a fulldome show is made
Producers render each frame as a square "dome master" (a fish-eye projection at 4K, 8K or higher). Multiple synchronised projectors — or a single laser projector with a fish-eye lens — paint the hemisphere. Audio is mixed in 5.1 or Atmos so the sound matches the visual field.
Where to watch
Permanent planetariums in science centres, universities, and museums; portable domes at events like Jena FullDome Festival, Dome Fest West, and IMERSA Summit. XRGuide tracks both venues and shows in the museums & venues directory.
Fulldome vs VR headsets
Fulldome is shared immersion — dozens of people experience the same world with the naked eye, no headset required. VR is personal immersion with full 6DoF interactivity. Many producers release both versions of the same piece, letting audiences choose comfort & scale (dome) or agency & presence (VR).
What's playing in 2026
Science shows (Cosmic Life, Dark Biosphere, Asteroid Quest), wellness pieces like Vidarium from Harald Singer / Livinglobe, AI-themed work such as Anna Öst's AI — An Immersive Journey Into the Future, generative art, and live audio-visual performances. Explore the Fulldome Experiences collection for the curated list.
Why it matters for XR
Fulldome is the most accessible on-ramp to immersive media — no headset friction, no motion sickness, and a built-in audience of millions visiting planetariums every year. As headsets and dome theatres start sharing formats (dome masters double as 360° VR video), the two worlds are converging fast.
Catalog
Fulldome Experiences collection →
Curated dome shows and immersive 360° films.
Venues
Planetariums & dome venues →
Where to see fulldome shows around the world.
Fulldome FAQ
What is a fulldome experience?
A fulldome experience is a 360° immersive film or interactive show projected onto the hemispherical ceiling of a planetarium or dome theatre. Audiences look up to view the action — the image wraps around their entire field of view, creating a deeply immersive, headset-free form of XR.
How is a planetarium show different from VR?
Both are immersive media, but a fulldome planetarium show is a shared, social experience — dozens of people watch together with the naked eye. VR headsets are individual, and currently isolate the viewer. Fulldome trades interactivity for scale, comfort, and accessibility.
Where can I watch fulldome shows?
Permanent planetariums (science centres, museums, universities) and pop-up domes at festivals such as Jena FullDome Festival, IMERSA Summit, and Dome Fest West. XRGuide tracks both the venues and the shows that play in them.
What resolution and format do fulldome shows use?
Modern fulldome masters are rendered at 4K, 8K or higher in equirectangular or dome-master format (a square fish-eye projection). They typically run at 30–60fps with 5.1 or Dolby Atmos surround sound.
Can fulldome content be watched in VR headsets?
Yes — many fulldome producers also release a 360° video version playable on Meta Quest, Apple Vision Pro, and WebXR. The headset re-projects the dome master onto a virtual sphere, preserving the original framing.
Who makes fulldome content today?
Studios like NSC Creative, Mirage3D, Softmachine, Evans & Sutherland, and independent artists such as Anna Öst and Harald Singer (Livinglobe / Vidarium). XRGuide highlights the most curated work in its Fulldome Experiences collection.