A new US$5.2m (€4.2m, £3.3m) planetarium, the largest in the US state of Indiana, has opened at Ball State University in Muncie.

The new institution’s 52-ft (16m) diameter dome and state-of-the-art hybrid star projector are part of a project to expand and replace the original and significantly smaller planetarium, which stood for 46 years and welcomed around 500,000 visitors in its lifetime.

Prior to the expansion, the facility – which was used by both visitors and astronomy students – was turning away visitors due to lack of space. Seating capacity in the new planetarium has more than doubled, taking the spot previously occupied by the planetarium at the University of Notre Dame as the largest in the state.

The new and enhanced planetarium will provide better programming for students and more opportunities for members of the public to use the space.

The Charles W. Brown Planetarium opened on 8 November with a free public viewing for a series of astronomy films on show throughout the day.