Virtual Planetarium

The Virtual Planetarium is a building that enables simulated exploration of regions discovered by a Telescope. When a Telescope uncovers a distant area, the Virtual Planetarium provides an in-game simulation environment that lets players examine those discoveries without sending duplicants or equipment to the real location.

The Virtual Planetarium is used in conjunction with Telescope discoveries: it does not itself discover new locations, but it interprets and reproduces sites revealed by telescopic observation so that their layout and features can be inspected in a controlled simulation. This makes it a planning and reconnaissance tool rather than a means of directly interacting with or harvesting resources from the discovered locale.

• Prerequisite: a location must be discovered by a Telescope for the Virtual Planetarium to simulate it.
• Primary function: present a simulated representation of the discovered area so the player can observe terrain, points of interest, and relative layout.
• Role in strategy: use the Virtual Planetarium to survey hazards, plan routes, and decide whether and how to mount a real-world expedition or build outposts based on the simulated information.
• Integration: it complements telescopes by turning remote discoveries into actionable intelligence inside the base; telescopes find, the Virtual Planetarium simulates.
• Limitations: the Virtual Planetarium simulates exploration rather than effecting changes at the discovered site; any real expedition or exploitation requires separate in-game actions and logistics.

The Virtual Planetarium acts as a bridge between remote sensing and active exploration. By allowing players to preview distant areas safely and repeatedly, it reduces uncertainty and helps prioritize which discoveries merit resource investment and risk.