VISITOR ATTRACTIONS
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through its innovative project, O planetário móvel vai às escolas ( The planetarium goes to schools ). “This ambitious initiative brings immersive, 360° educational films directly to schools in different Brazilian states using mobile domes equipped with Christie Inspire Series 1DLP laser projectors,” says Paul. The 13 mobile inflatable domes, which measure 7m in diameter and 3.8m in height, are travelling Brazil in dedicated trucks, visiting different schools across the country. The goal is to foster the equipped with a single 8500-lumen 4K UHD Christie 4K860-iS projector and provides a fully immersive visual experience for up to 60 students seated on tatamis on the floor,” explains Paul. “With multiple sessions throughout the day, each dome has the capacity to serve school community’s interest in astronomy and related sciences. “Each portable planetarium is up to 600 students daily. The domes’ synthetic fabric construction, tailored specifically for Urânia, allows for quick and easy set-up, with the entire structure inflating in minutes.” The Infinity Dome is an accessible three-story dome theatre that transports guests into outer space and shows the latest large-screen films. It includes eight Christie Griffyn 4K projectors, along with RSA Cosmos – Konica Minolta’s state-of-the-art planetarium software Sky Explorer. The Planetarium of Bogotá uses two Christie Griffyn Series pure laser projectors controlled by Christie Pandoras Box Software and Christie Mystique camera-based alignment and calibration software. “The planetarium’s projectors are edge-blended, one covering the dome’s north hemisphere and the other the south. However, each one projects over approximately 70% of the dome to ensure more-than-sufficient overlap for blending and warping. The projectors are also outfitted with special Navitar lenses for curved surfaces, which ensures a homogeneous focus of 90%.” Christie’s flagship offering is its Eclipse projectors, which offer high performance for planetariums, including the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium and other special venues, as they can reproduce true HDR imagery with a contrast ratio up to 20,000,000:1. “It combines true HDR performance with an expansive colour gamut, approaching full Rec. 2020 and 2100 colour spaces and built-in 120Hz capabilities,” adds Paul. “Other offerings include the M 4K RGB Series, from 15,750 to 25,300 lumens, and the Griffyn Series of RGB pure laser-illuminated projectors with brightness up to 50,000 lumens. Both projector series have UHC lens options that provide contrast performance of up to 7000:1 sequential contrast, and optional high-frame-rate capabilities up to 480Hz for crisp graphics and realism. We also introduced the Sapphire 4K40-RGBH, the world’s first high- brightness hybrid RGB pure laser and laser phosphor projector, designed for 2D and 3D projects. It features exclusive
Immersive experiences span all kinds of space-related content, including astronaut POVs, star simulations and informative videos
optional active or Infitec options for a richer 3D experience when needed.” While LED displays in planetariums have certainly made headlines over the past few years with some impressive capabilities, the trend is towards high- contrast projection solutions. “These solutions are far more cost-effective for large displays than LEDs, and designed to deliver consistent and reliable 6K or higher-resolution solutions for over ten years of operation – all with stunning colour and contrast,” notes Paul. “Each planetarium requires a custom solution – no two venues are the same. By working with an experienced and trusted integrator and manufacturer, planetariums can find the solution that’s best for them, ensuring a memorable trip through the cosmos for their guests.” AN INTERGALACTIC FUTURE Today, there are currently more than 4000 planetarium installations across almost every country in the world – 700 of which have been equipped with Zeiss tech. As planetariums continue to evolve and utilise new tech, organisations are unanimous in their outlooks for the future. Creating new and engaging content to maintain public interest and going beyond the realms of space travel is key in planetariums’ survival. Tackling other critical issues and serving as music or cinema venues are just some ways to achieve this. But, with Artemis missions to Mars on the horizon and commercial space travel firmly on the up (we won’t mention Katy Perry), public interest in space travel is sure to continue.
By working with an experienced and trusted integrator and manufacturer, planetariums can find the solution that’s best for them, ensuring a memorable trip through the cosmos for their guests”
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