Vegas celebrates a full year of the Exosphere, Sphere’s glimmering visage

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — One year on, Las Vegas celebrated Sphere, the latest, glimmering landmark on the Las Vegas Strip.

On July 4, 2023, Sphere first lit on the Las Vegas Strip, introducing the world to the “Exosphere,” an eye-catching new focal point of the entertainment capital of the world. Consisting of approximately 1.2 million LED pucks, which are spaced eight inches apart, each of those pucks, Sphere Entertainment officials say, is capable of displaying 256 million colors. Together, they represent the largest screen in the world.

In March, Sphere Entertainment Co. officials announced that students from across the Las Vegas valley would have a chance to see their art illuminated on the city’s newest and brightest attraction and to earn a prize. On Thursday, winners were announced, and their work was displayed on the Exosphere for the first time.

James Dolan, CEO of Sphere Entertainment Co., spoke on the anniversary and how the venue is being used to encourage students in the Las Vegas valley.

“The Sphere is a combination of art and science and math,” Dolan said. “And we want the students to be part of it but we want to also tell the students, ‘This school thing you’re doing, it’s not for nothing. You get really good at it, you could build one of those,'” the CEO said, gesturing to the massive Sphere.

On Thursday, Sphere launched two new features during its show: XO Audio, a custom audio synced to content on the Sphere’s Exosphere, and the XO Stream, the official live stream of the Exosphere that will be available 24/7 on its website.

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