TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After being closed for 13 years, the Jakarta Planetarium Theater at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) is officially open. Governor Pramono Anung inaugurated the facility on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. The general public began enjoying the space center on Thursday, December 25, 2025.
Jakarta Planetarium is now a modern, interactive science center. The facility features a digital astronomy visualization system based on the latest scientific data. It includes solar system simulations and improved tools for students and researchers. A new AI Virtual Host serves as a digital guide, offering facts about astronomy and the history of the site.
The Star Theater (Teater Bintang) had been closed since 2012 due to several issues. These included a damaged "starball" projector and incomplete facilities. Management disputes between the DKI Jakarta Cultural Office and PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) further delayed repairs for over a decade.
Iwan Takwin, President Director of Jakpro, explained that the upgrade focuses on high-tech visualization. The system now offers a wider educational scope.
"Not only education, but also experience. There is an AI that can interact. The content is not just about the universe; there is a process and other experiences that students can see," Iwan said at the Planetarium, as quoted by Antara.
A Brief History of Jakarta Planetarium
President Sukarno first proposed the Jakarta Planetarium in 1964. Funding came from the government and the Indonesian Batik Cooperative Association. Construction finished in 1968, and Governor Ali Sadikin inaugurated the building on November 10, 1968. Public shows began in March 1969 using a German Universal Carl Zeiss projector. The building is now a modern observatory with a high-tech cinema and comfortable seating.
The Planetarium was once a city icon. Officials hope it will again become a primary learning space for children to build scientific literacy. The public has welcomed the reopening with high energy on social media, viewing the facility as a vital part of the TIM cultural complex.
How to Get Tickets
Those interested in visiting can buy tickets through the link in the @tim.cikini Instagram bio. A promotion is running until April 2026. Students with a Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) or a valid student ID can enter for free. For the general public, tickets cost Rp10,000 per person.
Management noted that each show has a unique registration link, and space is limited. The theater holds 185 people per performance. The public is encouraged to act fast when registration windows open to secure a seat.
Tickets Sold Out Instantly
The reopening saw massive public interest. On the first day of sales, tickets sold out within minutes. The official Instagram account confirmed that the first batch of tickets disappeared in less than 60 seconds. This reflects a strong desire among residents to explore the universe under the new dome.
The Star Theater currently holds four shows daily. Visitors can watch simulations of the night sky and learn about space through new interactive materials.
PUTRI AZ ZAHRA SUHERMAN
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