Science Museum Oklahoma preparing to showcase state-of-the-art Planetarium

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Oklahoma City is just two weeks away from having the highest caliber planetarium in the country. It’s at the Science Museum Oklahoma and KFOR got a sneak peek ahead of their grand opening.

It’s an all new immersive experience taking trips throughout the galaxy and universe with state of the art technology that you can only find right here in the sooner state.

"We've brought together some of the best experts in the planetarium field, along with some of the highest technology to create an experience like no other,” John E. Kirkpatrick President and CEO of the Science Museum Oklahoma said.

It’s been over two decades of planning and two years of construction that’s now coming to fruition in the form of the Loves Planetarium at the Science Museum Oklahoma. It uses what’s called a hybrid system.

"We've got an LED optical projector that presents the most crisp, detailed stars that you can even use binoculars to see the deep star field, as well as eight K projectors,” Marshall said.

The Orpheus Star Ball presents the night sky without light pollution in a bigger dome. Trips through the universe from the cockpit in the back of the room will include the latest imagery from NASA. Marshall said that China is one of the only other spots you can go to find this type of advanced technology.

"There really is nothing like it,” Marshall said.

There is no extra cost to take in the spectacular views either. It’s a new experience set to take center stage soon.

"Every astronaut that's ever gone into space got their start in a planetarium,” Marshall said. “So, to think that the explorers, the wanderers, the innovators of tomorrow could get their springboard right here."

The grand opening is set for Friday, Sept. 20. Shows will begin at 2 p.m. that same day. To see the show programming and more information on the planetarium itself, click here.