An illumination apparatus for a projector that includes a light modulator is provided. The illumination apparatus includes a first illumination module emitting first radiation, a second illumination module emitting second radiation, a light mixing rod extending in the axial direction and a superposition unit, which superposes the first and second radiation and couples this into the light mixing rod. The superposition unit includes a first imaging optical unit which focuses the first radiation into the light mixing rod such that a first focus is present, and a second imaging optical unit which focuses the second radiation into the light mixing rod such that a second focus is present. The first focus is spaced apart from the second focus in the axial direction.