It’s all the rage these days, and you can see it here. Planetarium domes that once offered only educational science shows are now raking in profits after hours, on immersive experiences that thrust viewers into more than outer space.

In Costa Mesa, the $23 million planetarium at Orange Coast College successfully debuted the company’s first offering, “ Mesmerica 360 ,” on its giant 360-degree dome in 2019. Its run was interrupted by the pandemic, and then returned in 2022.

The newest offering, “Beautifica 360” has just begun its run, and tickets are already routinely selling out. Its run time is 50 minutes.

“It brings in additional revenue, which helps us purchase additional star shows and other educational content,” said Jessica Artinger, the planetarium’s program manager.

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