Planetarium
Planetarium Vikash Kumar, S N H Rizvi, Nitin Sharma
[email protected],
[email protected] [email protected] Department of Architecture Faculty of Architecture & Ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi M.Arch- Sem-1, 2014-15
1.1 AbstractPlanetarium is a dome type theatre in which the seating arrangements are according to their types like seating arrangement is parallel to ground for Horizontal Dome Type Planetarium whereas seating arrangement is tilted 0-30 Degree for tilted dome type planetarium educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation. It is based on natural night time scenes of stars and universe. It’s operated mechanically previously but due to the advancement of technologies its mode of operation also changed and now it is operated by auto mechanical means. Now computer based technology helps it to display digital images even during the middle of the shows. Now Indian planetarium is upgraded itself from optical mechanical star projection system to Digital (computer-driven) projectors. Planetarium technology is steadily shifting from optical-mechanical based projection to digital projection. This technology shift allows the consolidation of many individual projection sources into a single full-dome video-based display and image generation system. This shift is having a profound effect on planetarium show production, educational tools, theatre automation, system maintenance, equipment life cycle, required staff and overall theatre economics. The history of digital planetarium systems is reviewed, digital planetarium options are discussed, and the advantages of digital planetarium are weighed against optical-mechanical planetarium for both large public theatres and smaller teaching facilities.
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1.1
Introduction-
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation. Much of this is due
to the wide variety of facilities that call themselves planetariums and space theatres and to the almost equally wide variety in the operating modes of those entities. Individual perceptions of what a planetarium is also vary with the time of first encounter. This is largely due to the considerable evolution that planetariums have undergone since the first modern ones were invented in the 1920's. Today the word planetarium can refer to several things. It can mean a special projection Device designed to recreate indoors the appearance of the stars and planets. Now most programs in larger planetariums are totally automated, require banks of special effect projectors, and feature a variety of state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. The opportunity for new and innovative planetarium design has never been greater.
1.3 Features/Effecting Factors of Planetarium:II.
The Planetarium DomeThe most obvious feature of a planetarium is the dome, usually but not always hemispherical, which serves as a projection screen for the planetarium projector and auxiliary devices onto which scenes of stars, planets and other celestial objects can be made to appear and move realistically to simulate the complex 'motions of the heavens'.
III.
A star projector The heart of a planetarium is the star projector. Traditionally, this was also the most expensive part of the installation; but fortunately, the cost of top-quality star projection systems has decreased dramatically in recent years.
1.4 THERE ARE TWO BASIC KINDS OF STAR PROJECTORS: I.
Optical-mechanical star projection systems
II.
Digital (computer-driven) projectors
1. Optical-mechanical star projection systems:Optical-mechanical star projection systems are one or two ball-shaped structures containing a complex system of light bulbs, glass plates and lenses is used to project images of the stars onto the planetarium dome. The quality and cost of the P a g e 2 | 13
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projector responsible for the size and clearity of the image. The sun, moon and planets move noticeably over periods ranging from a few hours to a few decades, so none of these motions can be directly shown by a traditional star projector.
2. Digital (computer-driven) projectors:It produces relatively sharp and detailed image of the sky.it is like traditional planetarium projections, a digital projection mounted beneath the center of dome. The Auxiliary projectors usually added to main projectors does not required in this case because digital projectors are very much self-sufficient of capturing sharp and clear images of Sun, Moon and Planets.
Planetarium systemsI.
sound system Although the use of the planetarium for lectures can dispense with anything but the least sophisticated sound systems, public presentations require (and even lecture presentations benefit from) a high-quality sound system.
II.
Seating Systems The comfortable seating which tilts back for viewing of full-dome images would be greatly appreciated by the students; and for public presentations.
III.
Control mechanisms (hardware and software), and presentation graphics Most of the programs in larger planetariums are totally automated, require banks of special effect projectors, and feature a variety of state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment.
1.5 Planetarium Domes A dominant feature of most planetarium is the large dome-shaped projection screen onto which scenes of stars, planets and other celestial objects can be made to appear and move realistically to simulate the complex 'motions of the heavens'. Planetarium domes range in size from 3 to 35 m in diameter, accommodating from 1 to 500 people. They can be permanent or portable, depending on the application.
I.
Portable inflatable domes – it can be inflated in minutes. It used for touring planetarium visiting, for example, schools and community centers.
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II.
Temporary structures – it is using glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) segments bolted together and mounted on a frame are possible. They are more suitable for applications such as exhibition stands, where a dome will stay up for a period of at least several days.
III.
Negative-pressureInflated domes are suitable in some semi-permanent situations. They use a fan to extract air from behind the dome surface, allowing atmospheric pressure to push it into the correct shape.
1.6 TYPES OF PLANETARIUMS AS PER DOME PROJECTION TYPE. 1. HORIZONTAL DOME PLANETARIUM THEATRE
FIGURE 1 HORIZONTAL THEATRE.
DOME PLANETARIUM
Seating arrangement is parallel to the ground.
2. TILTED PLANETARIUM THEATRE
FIGURE 2- TILTED PLANETARIUM THEATRE, ANGLE 0 TO 30
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1.7 Projection TechnologiesThe celestial (heaven or sky) scenes can be created using a wide variety of technologies. I.
Precision-engineered 'star balls ' that combine optical and electro-mechanical technology.
II.
Slide projector
III.
Full dome projector systems / Power Dome.
1. STAR BALLSThe heart of a planetarium is the star ball projector. Traditionally, this was also the most expensive part of the installation; but fortunately, the cost of top-quality star projection systems has decreased dramatically in recent years.
FIGURE 3 –STAR BALL PROJECTION
THERE ARE TWO BASIC KINDS OF STAR PROJECTORSI. Optical-mechanical star ball projection systems- One or two ball-shaped structures containing a complex system of light bulbs, glass plates and lenses is used to project images of the stars onto the planetarium dome. The quality and cost of the projector responsible for the size and clearity of the image. The sun, moon and planets move noticeably over periods ranging from a few hours to a few decades, so none of these motions can be directly shown by a traditional star projector.
FIGURE 4-OPTICAL- MECHANICAL STAR BALL PROJECTION SYSTEM
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II. Digital (computer-driven) projectors- The digital planetarium is managed live from the control panel, enabling both automatic and semi-automatic runs. The digital planetarium functions of powerdome expand the presentation capabilities of the optical-mechanical projector. Both systems work in unison. In a fully digital planetarium, the dome image is generated by a computer and then projected onto the dome using a variety of technologies including cathode ray tube, LCD, DLP or laser projectors.
FIGURE 5- DIGITAL PROJECTORS
III.
FIGURE 6- PROJECTION SYSTEM
SLIDE PROJECTOR- A piece of equipment used for displaying photographic slides on a screen. It is used for Innovative optical design, Video projection now compatible with night sky contrast, astronomical objects such as gaseous nebulae and galaxies of the universe.
FIGURE 7- SLIDE PROJECTORS
1.8 Powerdome – The platform for Fulldome projection Fulldome is a systems which project images and videos onto a dome with a 360° x 180° image angle. Fulldome projection consists of several image channels to avoid disappointingly inadequate definition and brightness. Powerdome Integrate Sun and Moon, planets, constellations, didactic projectors and other options.
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TYPE OF POWERDOME THEATRE'S I.
Sky Theatres- For domes from 6 m to 15 m in diameter.
FIGURE 8- THEATRE LAYOUT FOR 12 M DOME. II.
Star Theatres- For domes from 16 m to 24 m in diameter.
FIGURE 9- THEATRE LAYOUT FOR 22M DOME. III.
Universe Theatres- For the largest domes upto 35 m.
FIGURE 10- THEATRE LAYOUT UPTO 35M DOME.
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1.9 Arrangement of ProjectorsI.
It is designed for domes up to 12 m in diameter. It uses two projectors (channels) installed at the dome centre or at the periphery, different lenses applied.
FIGURE 11 PROJECTION FROM THE DOME CENTRE, 10-M DOME (A) 3D VIEW (B) ARRANGEMENT OF PROJECTORS (TOP VIEW) (C) PROJECTION FIELDS, OVERLAPPING IN A BLENDING ZONE (D) PROJECTION FIELDS, NON-OVERLAPPING
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II.
Fulldome projection from the dome periphery For dome theatres without a planetarium projector it is advisable to position the projectors at the dome periphery.
FIGURE 12- PROJECTION FROM THE PERIPHERY, 10-M DOME (A) 3D VIEW (B) ARRANGEMENT OF PROJECTORS (TOP VIEW) (C) PROJECTION FIELDS, OVERLAPPING IN A BLENDING ZONE (D) PROJECTION FIELDS, NON-OVERLAPPING
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III.
Five-channel Fulldome projection from the dome periphery Five channels are sufficient for domes up to 18 m in diameter with no planetarium projector installed. Four projectors deliver the 360° panorama, while the fifth one projects the zenith field.
FIGURE 13- 5 CHANNELS, PROJECTION FROM THE PERIPHERY, 15-M DOME (A) 3D VIEW (B) ARRANGEMENT OF PROJECTORS (TOP VIEW) (C) PROJECTION FIELDS, OVERLAPPING IN A BLENDING ZONE (D) PROJECTION FIELDS, NON-OVERLAPPING
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IV.
Eight-channel Fulldome projection from the dome periphery If the theatre features a planetarium projector (e.g., UNIVERSARIUM), projectors are installed so that projection is from the periphery but not to the exactly opposite direction but at an angle past the planetarium projector. In a configuration for a 20-35 m dome, six projectors do the panorama and two do the zenith field.
FIGURE 14- PROJECTOR 8 CHANNELS, PROJECTION FROM THE PERIPHERY, 30-M DOME (A) 3D VIEW (B) ARRANGEMENT OF PROJECTORS (TOP VIEW) (C) PROJECTION FIELDS, OVERLAPPING IN A BLENDING ZONE (D) PROJECTION FIELDS, NON-OVERLAPPING
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1.10
Case Study- Birla Planetarium- Kolkata
The new technology to upgrade and refurbish the Birla Planetarium in Kolkata is a ZEISS STARMASTER optical-mechanical projector, the refurbished planetarium is also include a digital projection system consisting of nine VELVET projectors developed and produced by ZEISS for Fulldome projection. The new equipment to be replace the ZEISS universal projection planetarium. The new sound system and a number of different shows based on astronomical topics also to be upgrade. The old projection dome, 23 meters in diameter, will also be replaced.
Figure 15-Birla Planetarium at kolkata
FIGURE 16- TYPICAL SECTION DETAIL OF A PLANETARIUM- HORIZONTAL TYPE
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ReferencesI.
Bazykin, V. V., and V. K. Lutskii. Moskovskii planetarii, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1956.
II.
Bazykin, V. V., and I. F. Shevliakov. Metodika ispol’zovaniia apparata “Planetarii.” Mos cow, 1963.
III.
Portsevskii, K. A. Organizatsiia astronomicheskoi ploshchadki pri planetarii. Moscow, 1 970. Letsch, H. Das Zeiss-Planetarium, 4th ed. Jena, 1955.
IV.
Letsch, H. Captured Stars. Jena, 1959., K. A. PORTSEVSKII
V.
Brill, L.M. "Planetarium Theaters" The Futurist Vol. 16, pp.25-33, Dec. 1982.
VI.
Crooks, P.D. "San Diego's Adventure in Space", Sky & Telescope Vol.65 pp. 127-129, February 1983.
VII.
Friedman, A. J. "Planetariums 25 Years" The Planetarian Vol. 20/1 pp.8-1 3, March, 1991.
VIII.
[email protected]
IX.
Brill, L.M. "Planetarium Theaters" The Futurist Vol. 16, pp.25-33, Dec. 1982.
X.
http://www.zeiss.com/planetariums/en_de/home.html
XI.
Dr. Ludwig Meier – Pioneer of Modern Projection Planetariums
XII.
modern planetarium technolog
Name of CompaniesI.
ZEISS International
II.
Super Planetarium Mega star
III.
Konica Minilta
IV.
OMSI
V.
Minolta
VI.
Sky Skan.Com
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