Skywatch Planetarium

Festival

Client: Gary & Merril Erickson

Canopy:  Fabric Solutions

Dome Frame:  The Dome Company

skywatchobservatory.com.au

From the web site:

“The Skywatch Dome Theatre provides an excellent space for planetarium projections of the night sky as well as fulldome astronomy and science movies”

“A guided tour of the Warrumbungle night sky with our 16 inch Newtonian telescope, astrophotography equipment and astronomy education movies in our 6m planetarium”

 

Challenge

Replace a new 6 metre diameter frame and cover onto the existing tower. Create a negative pressure internal projection screen.

Solution

The new galvanised steel tube dome frame and heavy duty pvc one piece cover (with digitally branded logo) was transported 700km by road by Robbie in his ute.

Setup and execution

A local crew assembled the dome and it was craned into place on the existing tower.  Brackets and dyna bolts secured the new frame to the tower.  The internal projection screen was attached by velcro to the existing ring beam and a small extractor fan used to create the vacuum between the two fabrics.

Projector details:

Barco F3 WQXGA, 2560×1600, 7500 ansi lumens
Navitar 180 degree fisheye lens

Projector Installation by Paul Bourke

Outcome and benefits

Testimonials

Conclusion