Wednesday, July 12     8:45 a.m.--10:00 a.m. Oral - Duluth
3.01-1 Back	Project Astro-Utah: Astronomers in the Classroom Richard S. Cox (UMNH / Hansen Planetarium) Project Astro is an NSF-funded program out of ASP, created to team professional and amateur astronomers with classroom teachers. Brought to Salt Lake City in 1997 by the Clark Foundation, Project Astro-Utah is the largest of 11 expansion sites across the USA. Astro-Utah is designed to do three things: 1) provide Utah 6th grade teachers with access to an astronomy expert to help them teach astronomy concepts; 2) provide Utah students with an experience with a `real' scientist; and 3) give professional astronomers an experience with young students. Astro-Utah includes 25 partnerships, reaching 1000 students each year. Our emphasis is not to reach the most students for the least amount of money, but to provide a truly enriching, rewarding and memorable experience for students and teachers. The purpose of this paper is to expose other planetariums to the potential for similar local programs.
3.01-2 Back	Stars Over Yellowstone: Public Outreach Under the Real Sky James Manning (Museum of the Rockies) As planetarians, we try to reach people under the artificial skies of our planetariums. But sometimes, it's important for us to reach a bit farther and go where the people are -- especially if they happen to be camping under the pristine skies of a national park. Last summer, the Museum of the Rockies' planetarium staff exploited that natural resource stretching over the U.S.'s Yellowstone National Park by working with the park's interpretation division and local astronomy clubs to conduct a pilot public observing program over several weekends, seeking to expand its public service, to increase visibility for the museum among park visitors, and to develop closer collaborative ties with the park. The presenter will share what they did, how it went, how the effort has evolved for the coming summer, and why such efforts are valuable to undertake.
3.01-3 Back	Educational Planetarium Program for Children of 3 to 5 years Reiko Funayama (Shonandai Culture Center Children's Museum, Cosmic Theatre) We need good educational planetarium programs which are suitable for every phase of intellectual development. We started to study children's view of the universe in April 1999. Our purpose is to determine their recognition of time and space and objects of interest. We interviewed children directly and asked about the heavenly bodies. For example, "What color (or what shape) is the sun (or the moon)?", "Does anybody live on the sun or on the moon?". We also sent out questionnaires to teachers in kindergardens and nursery schools. We asked for their own opinions. For example, "What kind of picture books do the children like?" The answers were separated by age and gender. These studies have seldom been done in Japan. Based upon the results, we are going to produce an original planetarium program. We will try to evaluate the program by showing it to children in several planetariums.
3.01-4 Back	Quantification of Student Learning in the Planetarium Carolyn Sumners (Burke Baker Planetarium) In the United States, national and local science standards have established accountability for what students learn in the classroom and in co-curricular informal experiences such as planetarium programs. This large group study uses randomly selected fourth and seventh grade classrooms from the Houston Independent School District, an urban minority school system of over 260,000 students. A written instrument was developed to measure student learning gains from a planetarium experience, a natural science lab, a docented tour of Museum exhibits, and an IMAX film. This instrument was administered before and after the informal science experiences and the difference in scores was used to calculate the test statistic. This paper evaluates each of these learning experiences and uses specific questions to address the effectiveness of different planetarium presentation formats used in live and pre-taped presentations. Student gender and interest in science are also correlated with performance on the test instrument. Results indicate which science concepts are most effectively taught in the planetarium, suggest the relative effectiveness of different presentation techniques, and offer a comparison of the planetarium with other informal science venues.
3.01-5 Back	Steering by the Stars: Teaching Celestial Navigation in the Planetarium Philip M. Sadler (Learning Technologies Inc.) Many planetarians are called upon to aid in the teaching of celestial navigation or would just like to know how this almost magical process works. Having trained hundreds how to sail by the stars, I have found the planetarium to be an indispensable tool for learning this arcane art. The planetarium is best used three times during a navigation course, for star identification, tracking the motions of the sun for different dates and latitudes, and for the reduction of star positions to latitude and longitude using a globe. I will discuss each planetarium show and the activities involved in each.
Wednesday, July 12     8:45 a.m.--10:00 a.m. Panel - Saint-Maurice
3.02 Back	The Role of Professional Astronomers in the Planetarium -- Why or Why Not?! Chair: Douglas Duncan (American Astronomical Society); Panelists: Anthony Fairall (South African Museum), Uwe Lemmer (Planetarium Nürnberg), Lars Petersen (Orion Planetarium) & Neil D. Tyson (Rose Center for Earth and Space) Why? Benefits to the Planetarium from hiring research astronomers: 1. The type of person you can hire. 2. Ensuring that content is current. 3. Teaching that science is a process -- something you DO! 4. Thorough knowledge often leads to simpler explanations. 5. Researchers are used to keeping technically up-to-date. 6. New source of grant money? 7. Could help prevent the extinction of Planetariums. Why Not? Possible Detriments: 1. Clash of cultures / staff turmoil / change of mission. 2. The arrogance factor. 3. How can it be financed? 4. How to evaluate performance?
Wednesday, July 12     8:45 a.m.--10:00 a.m. Portable - Marquette
3.04-1 Back	The Power of Starlab Mary Lou Whitehorne (Learning Technologies Inc.) Science is based on inquiry, experimentation, observation, and explanation. Many teachers find themselves teaching science even though they have no science background. Starlab provides a unique and versatile environment that greatly enhances learning through hands-on and minds-on activities. In Starlab the students are actively involved in the scientific process: they investigate their own ideas by formulating hypotheses, making predictions, and then simulating the outcome with the Starlab. They can then compare their own ideas with what actually happens and explain why (or why not) their predictions are (or are not) correct. This workshop will demonstrate how teachers and students can use Starlab as an effective instrument of scientific inquiry by hypothesizing, predicting, experimenting, observing and explaining.
3.04-2 Back	Discovery Rooms and Science Shows with "Magic Starlab": New "I.D.E.A.S." for Museums and Planetariums Loris Ramponi (AAP / Centro Studi e Ricerche Serafino Zani) & Susan Reynolds Button (OCM BOCES Planetarium) Explore and experience continuing developments in creative uses of STARLAB cylinders. Since the introduction of I.D.E.A.S. at IPS'96 in Osaka, we have expanded and further developed the themes of interdisciplinary "virtual reality chambers" and "Magic Walls." We've taken the double projection system to new levels and can smoothly transition between cylinders to create a method for comparison and contrast of various sky representations. This workshop is designed to involve colleagues in activities that will inspire unique uses of STARLAB both in the museum and the small or portable planetarium setting.
Wednesday, July 12     8:45 a.m.--10:00 a.m. Workshop - Mackenzie
3.03 Back	Remote Telescope -- Education Over the Network Tadashi Mori (Media i Corporation), Toshikatsu Yasuda (Goto Optical Mfg. Co.) & Osamu Kawasumi (Yamanashi Prefectural Science Center) We introduce a telescope image broadcasting system that is available in the planetarium dome and through the network. The system was jointly developed by Yamanashi Prefecture Science Center (YPSC), Media i Corporation and Goto Optical Mfg., Co. with the support of TAO (Telecommunications Advancement Organization of Japan, a subsidiary body of MPT -- Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications). By using this system, images taken by the 20cm coudé telescope at YPSC and captured by a PC are broadcasted to schools in Yamanashi Prefecture. The images can also be seen in the Planetarium dome at YPSC in real time. This system will be upgraded next year to allow the pupils, students, teachers and researchers to control the telescope remotely and get images through the network. A brief preview of this system will be shown.
Wednesday, July 12     10:30 a.m.--12:00 p.m. Oral - Duluth
3.05-1 Back	Getting the Word Out: Writing Astronomical Press Releases Jim Greenhouse (Mark Smith Planetarium) What's the use in putting together a top-notch public planetarium show or observing session if no one comes to see it? Even if your facility does not produce programs, the responsibility for interpreting information about space for a local community usually falls upon the nearest astronomy educator. Learn some tips about how to get your information noticed amid the flood of announcements that media outlets receive. Find out how to convey that information so that it is accurately relayed to the public. Some strategies for working with your organization's public relations personnel will also be discussed.
3.05-2 Back	Extra-Extra!: Writing Astronomical Columns for Local Newspapers Jim Greenhouse (Mark Smith Planetarium) Writing an article for a local newspaper or magazine is an effective way of delivering accurate astronomical information to the public. It is also a good way to keep yourself up-to-date on what's happening in the sky. Find out how to work with local publications to get your work printed. See how to structure your writing to convey your ideas in a way that is understandable and enjoyable to read. There will also be a discussion about the use of star maps and graphics in articles.
3.05-3 Back	Before and After Full-Dome Video: Analysis of Attendance, Revenues, and Audience Satisfaction Carolyn Sumners (Burke Baker Planetarium) In December, 1998 the Burke Baker Planetarium upgraded its dome screen, gave its 35 year old theater a slight tilt and installed a large-format immersive 4-projector SkyVision system. Dramatic revenue and attendance increases followed and can be attributed to the introduction of immersive video since no other significant changes were made to the theater's interior, exterior, or location within the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Attendance data are analyzed to determine the extent of this increase compared with programs offered before the immersive video upgrade. These results should have predictive value for any planetarium considering a similar renovation or planning a new theater. Acquisition of a render farm has allowed the Planetarium to create video for this new format. In January, 2000, the Planetarium premiered a show, "The Powers of Time," that is over 75% large-format video. In June it added the two rear channels to have complete full-dome coverage and introduced a science fiction production called "Dharmok's Gate" that is almost totally full-dome and rendered in-house. School shows and star gazing shows have also been enhanced with full-dome segments. Unlike other multi-million dollar renovations, this minimal upgrade and commitment to rendering in-house allows realistic comparison of programming, show production, and attendance before and after the inclusion of large-format video for a variety of different kinds of planetarium offerings. The planetarium's position within a large Museum also provides comparison between planetarium marketing and other Museum venues.
3.05-4 Back	Corporate Support & Business As Usual: Funding Your Planetarium Jon Elvert (Lane ESD Planetarium) Are your matinee tickets sales down again from last year? Laser and school show attendance off as well? What's a planetarium to do -- sell the seats?, your stars?, more memberships? Are you constantly defending your budget and managing decline? Do you really know who your customers are or why they come? Are you selling too much of the glitz and not enough education (or the other way around)? This paper suggests some customer oriented ways of promoting the planetarium, which have contributed to our planetarium becoming self-supporting. These ideas include program marketing, sponsorships, business collaboration, getting others to purchase equipment for you, and buying into the success of the planetarium.
3.05-5 Back	Running Two Planetaria as "Twins" - Can This be Done? Lars Petersen (Orion Planetarium) & Aase R. Jacobsen (The Steno Museum Planetarium) The planetarium at the Steno Museum and the Orion Planetarium, both located in Denmark but about 100 km apart, are presently run as "twin"/sister planetaria. The planetarium at Steno Museet is situated on the campus of the University of Aarhus, while Orion Planetarium was originally established as a private enterprise in southern Jutland built on the same design. When the latter suffered economical problems and was threatened by a hostile takeover by astrologers(!) the Dean of the Faculty of Science intervened. Both planetaria are now under the auspices of the Faculty but as two separate units. The talk will discuss the pros and cons of running two planetaria in close collaboration regarding show co-production, translation of foreign shows into Danish, technical maintenance, media contacts at astronomical events, exhibition exchange, gift shops, etc.
3.05-6 Back	Turning Planetarium Shows into Live Theatre Alan Dyer (Calgary Science Centre) In 1996 the Calgary Science Centre undertook what may be the most extensive renovation ever of an existing planetarium theatre. We turned a tradtional Zeiss-worshipping concentric theatre into a tilt-dome space designed primarily to handle live theatrical productions. We wanted to get away from canned IMAX-wanna-be planetarium shows and turn our programs into something totally new and unique in our market - live science theatre, supplemented by state-of-the-art multimedia projections. However, rebuilding the physical space is merely the first step to converting a program style. We've had to relearn how to produce planetarium shows, a process that continues to evolve. I'll pass along our experiences and advice in this brief presentation.
Wednesday, July 12     10:30 a.m.--12:00 p.m. Panel - Saint-Maurice
3.06 Back	General Planetarium Maintenance Chair: John Hare (Ash Enterprises International Inc.); Panelists: George Barnett (National Space Science Centre), Björn Hedén (NPA (Nordic Planetarium Association)), Garry Musgrave (Conceptron Associates) & Steve Savage (Sky-Skan, Inc.)
Wednesday, July 12     10:30 a.m.--12:00 p.m. Portable - Marquette
3.08-1 Back	Dispelling Misconceptions in the Planetarium Philip M. Sadler (Learning Technologies Inc.) Both students and adults enter our planetariums with conceptions of how the world works that are usually at odds with the scientific models that we take for granted. Using constructivist techniques to help students elucidate their ideas and predict the outcomes of events in the planetariums, we can scaffold the construction of new paradigms which more accurately predict what happens in the world. We will see how these techniques can be employed for students from grade school to college level.
3.08-2 Back	Inuit (Eskimo) Astronomy and Mythology Jeanne E. Bishop (Westlake Schools Planetarium) This will be a demonstration of the sky seen from high northern latitudes. Positions of key stars visible during the long polar night will be pointed out and related to the mythology, identification of seasons, and navigation of the Inuit people. This demonstration complements the oral paper, "Inuit (Eskimo) Sky Ideas and Use," given at another time.
Wednesday, July 12     10:30 a.m.--12:00 p.m. Workshop - Mackenzie
3.07 Back	Masks from Your Mac (or PC): Making Slides and Masks in Photoshop Christine Shupla (Arizona Science Center) Many planetaria are taking advantage of computer programs that allow them to manipulate their images digitally. Learn how to download beautiful images and mask them on your computer, and create files that can be printed out as slides and masks.
Wednesday, July 12     1:30 p.m.--3:00 p.m. Oral 1 - Duluth
3.09-1 Back	GOTO the Future Toshikatsu Yasuda (Goto Optical Mfg. Co.) Since the last IPS 1998 in London, we have had a dramatic change in our team members. I would like to present a Japanese planetarium update with some of our new installations. I will also introduce some of our exciting projects and ideas we have for new domed space use.
3.09-2 Back	Minolta Now Masafumi Harada (Minolta Planetarium Co., Ltd.) Minolta has been actively engaged in the integration of the latest imaging and presentation technologies to make the planetarium experience ever more realistic and enjoyable. In 1994, we have completed an integrated system in cooperation with E&S. The system was introduced at the IPS conference in 1994 at Brevard Community College and was highly rated by the attendance. Minolta tried further to make it the perfect system and named it "Geministar." Then, Minolta became the exclusive marketer of the Geministar system, which enables the integration of the Minolta Infinium with the Digistar II. Expanding the concept, Minolta is now integrating the products of E&S, Sky-Skan, AVI, and MEGAsystems to the original Geministar. It is expected that many of its features will be incorporated into the planetarium, perfect for the 21st Century. The great potential of the Geministar system will be presented with the updated versatility at the Saga Space Science Museum in Japan.
3.09-3 Back	Show Production for Immersive Video Brad Thompson (Spitz, Inc.) This paper chronicles the production of two major shows for immersive video theatres. "Oasis in Space" is a bottom to top remake of the popular Spitz production featuring a 3D rendered solar system tour. "PopMania" is an evening entertainment feature incorporating laser graphics and all-sky imagery as well as 2-D and 3-D animation. Production techniques for the shows are outlined and recommendations are made for future productions utilizing immersive video systems.
3.09-4 Back	Digital Video Playback Technologies Mark Jarvis (Spitz Inc.) There are numerous formats for digitally representing and playing back video images. Of particular interest are hard-drive players, sometimes called digital disk recorders (DDRs). This paper helps the planetarian sort through the various compression standards (MPEG, JPEG, M-JPEG, wavelet) and storage options (RAID 0-5) available in off-the-shelf DDR units. Issues related to reliability, maintainability, and image quality are discussed.
3.09-5 Back	The New Zeiss Mark IX "Universarium" Wilfried Lang (Carl Zeiss) The new large-size planetarium UNIVERSARIUM Mark IX, now installed in the new Hayden Planetarium and in the Bochum Planetarium, is introduced. At first glance, there seems to be no difference between Mark VIII and Mark IX, but in fact, Carl Zeiss had to redesign nearly 60% of all instrument parts. These new and improved features will be described and explained.
3.09-6 Back	News from the Frontier Paul Tetu (Sky-Skan, Inc.) With the world of presentation technology constantly changing it can be difficult to keep up. Whether the field is digital video, Dolby surround systems, graphics and show production, design consultation, or theater automation, Sky-Skan is there! With products and services to meet the needs of both the small, traditional planetarium or a large multi-purpose domed theater, we remain on the leading edge of today's presentation trends. Learn about the latest projects, products, and people that can help you meet your goal of effective and memorable education.
Wednesday, July 12     1:30 p.m.--3:00 p.m. Oral 2 - Mackenzie
3.10-1 Back	It's Live AND it's Taped: the Bishop Museum Hybrid Michael Shanahan (Bishop Museum - Explorers Project) For decades, our planetarium community has debated whether "live" or pre-recorded shows are better. Recently, the Bishop Museum in Honolulu has developed two programs with NASA support -- "The Explorers" and "Explorers of Mauna Kea" -- which combine live and taped segments in roughly equal parts. The live sections of these programs allow audience and presenter to interact directly, and add another element to the multi-media experience of the planetarium. Taped elements allow for a greater range of special effects, different voices and audio effects, and deliver big sections of information quickly. This paper will focus on the Bishop Museum's experiences in hitting the right balance (How much should be live? How much on tape?); in selecting the portions of the show that are best covered live or on tape; and even on the modifications made to the planetarium itself to accommodate this hybrid approach to planetarium shows.
3.10-2 Back	SOFIA-Education Partnerships at 41,000 feet Mike Bennett (ASP/SOFIA EPO) NASA is currently building the largest telescope ever to leave the surface of the Earth - a 2.5 meter (nearly 100-inch) telescope built into a converted Boeing 747. Expected to see first light in 2002, the telescope will peer out through an 18-foot open cavity in the side of the aircraft. SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) will be based at the Ames Research Center near San Francisco and is expected to make about 4 research flights per week for at least 20 years. NASA has mandated a robust education and public outreach (EPO) program which is being jointly managed by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and the SETI Institute. A key element of the outreach program will be the Educational Ambassador Program. Every year up to 200 formal and informal educators will be invited to participate in one or more research flights, with the opportunity to closely observe and even work with research astronomers. Other outreach activities will include the development and distribution of at least one planetarium program on infrared astronomy.
3.10-3 Back	Constructing the Universe James S. Sweitzer, Ph.D. (Rose Center for Earth and Space) The American Museum of Natural History's Rose Center for Earth and Space opened its doors to the public in early 2000. In this presentation I will recount the adventure of constructing this new museum facility. I will then discuss the creation of the earth science and astrophysical exhibitions that fill its two main galleries. The most challenging component was, of course, the new Hayden Planetarium. Inside the giant Hayden sphere we built the most advanced planetarium theater in the world - featuring unparalleled capabilities to re-create the universe. I will touch on some of the fascinating challenges presented by the production of the space show, which relies on actual 3D astrophysical databases and an unprecedented rendering of the Orion Nebula. From the retrieval of black smokers at the bottom of the ocean to virtual flights through the Virgo Supercluster, the "construction" of the Rose Center for Earth and Space has been an amazing journey.
3.10-4 Back	Development of the Modern Planetarium Tony Butterfield (Burke Baker Planetarium) Astronomy is the oldest science known to man. For thousands of years, he has tried to record the night time sky so that it can be studied to understand what role in the vast cosmos Earth plays and how it came to be. Today in Museums and schools, people of all ages visit their local planetarium. I will discuss early planetariums, clocks and orreries, the wonder of Jena, Spitz Planetariums, and today's digital theaters. The presentation will include visuals of ancient drawings and places in addition to web links to some of the most advanced theaters in the world.
3.10-5 Back	Hubble and Your Dome John Stoke (Space Telescope Science Institute) A summary of planetarium-related products, services, and aspirations from the Office of Public Outreach of the Space Telescope Science Institute, including a new multimedia exhibition product available at no charge.
3.10-6 Back	From Gottorp Globe Through Projection Dome to the Final Goal of University Prof. R. Subramanian (M. P. Birla Planetarium) In the late 19th century and early 20th century Science Museums set up hollow globes like Gottorp and Atwood with holes punctured to present the starry skies. Orreries were also attempted. The year 1923 gave the stereo-optical system. The revolution in IT and LCD projections for text, graphics, animations and movies further increased the value of Planetarium programming towards greater educational results. What next is the question? We at the M. P. Birla Planetarium feel that the Planetarium environment and modern high tech facilities are ideal for moving towards the goal of building the institution into a University covering all areas of astronomy. As a first step we have started a M. Phil. Degree programme and with well equipped science library and seminar halls we propose to take candidates for doctorate programmes and for post doctoral work. Telescopic observational facilities are also being expanded.
3.10-7 Back	Planetarium - The Astronomical Laboratory of the Secondary School Dr. Isaac V. Prozumentor & Galina V. Zheleznyak (Kharkiv Gagarin Planetarium) Since the opening day of Kharkiv's Planetarium in 1957, in-depth study of astronomy by pupils, students and all interested persons has remained the first preoccupation of the staff of the Planetarium. Our main goals are popularizing the achievements of modern science and awakening the wish of listeners to learn more. A series of lectures that include from 6 to 10 topics on astronomy, physics, geography were created. At the same time the single topics that have been worked out as the original ones, are also very popular. During the lectures a method of thought experiment is widely used. The structure of such a lecture is discussed using original fragments. Our staff is also working on the development of the existing Planetarium equipment. In addition to attending the programs, the pupils also have a chance to see the Universe through the Planetarium telescope.
Wednesday, July 12     1:30 p.m.--3:00 p.m. Portable - Marquette
3.12-1 Back	International Exchange Program - Five Years of Success: A Week in Italy for an American Susan Reynolds Button (OCM BOCES Planetarium) & Loris Ramponi (AAP / Centro Studi e Ricerche Serafino Zani) Each year, at the end of October, Serafino Zani Astronomical Observatory (Lumezzane/Brescia) in collaboration with the IPS Mobile Planetarium Committee and with the support of Learning Technologies, Inc., hosts an American Planetarium Operator who presents lessons with STARLAB to High School students of English and holds workshops for the public and other planetarians. To date this program has enabled five American planetarians to learn about the education, culture and sites of Italy while sharing their knowledge and expertise with Italian students, teachers and colleagues. The experience is described by participants, as being extremely rewarding and worthwhile. This endeavor will continue to thrive in the future and hopefully inspire others to develop similar programs between other countries. You can learn about and discuss all of the elements necessary to consider when developing this kind of partnership.
3.12-2 Back	Starlab Educator In Italy 1999 April Whitt (Fernbank Science Center) During October 1999, I was fortunate to travel to Italy and share astronomy lessons with some wonderful high school students. Focusing on the International Space Station (ISS), students used star maps to locate constellations and the path of the ISS in the current evening sky. They practiced satellite communication, found constellations in the Starlab, and listened to some star stories with an American accent.
Wednesday, July 12     1:30 p.m.--3:00 p.m. Workshop - Saint-Maurice
3.11-1 Back	How Do Children Learn? Marie Rådbo (Chalmers Planetarium) When can a child understand sunset/sunrise and the reasons for seasons? And is it possible for a seven year old child to grasp the phases of the moon? Can a ten year old child understand the character of a black hole? And at what age is it meaningful to teach the constellations? Can children understand the invisible? This workshop will address issues like these and the most common topics we use for our planetarium shows: the moon, the solar system, the starry sky and stellar evolution, etc. How can we help the children to learn these topics as effectively as possible? What topics do children learn best through hands-on activities and when is the planetarium show the best tool? Participants will learn some of the research concerning how children learn these issues combined with practical exercises.
3.11-2 Back	Children's Ideas and Learning Activities in Elementary Space Science Marcel Thouin (Université de Montréal) Research studies conducted over the past fifteen years or so have shown that children possess numerous conceptions that are often inspired by common sense with regard to various subjects of science. An outline of the research on children's ideas in science is presented, followed by the results of an action research on children's ideas in elementary space science. The results include: - a comprehensive inventory of children's ideas in space science; - a bank of learning activities designed to help children's ideas change and develop; - a list of assessment indicators; - the role of a planetarium in children's ideas as well as in learning activities. These results should be helpful in making science learning and teaching more successful and rewarding for teachers and children alike.
Wednesday, July 12     3:30 p.m.--4:45 p.m. Special Portable Presentation - Marquette
3.13-1 Back	Introducing the ZPS Portable Planetarium Juan Carlos Zabalgoitia (Astronomía Educativa) This presentation will introduce the ZPS star projector. Designed for portable and small domes, the ZPS projector has some interesting features not found in other portable projectors. These features are shown and explained.
3.13-2 Back	Introducing the Sphaera Albert Pla (Quim Guixà Company) Sphaera is a very resistant inflatable dome, which allows the public to lean on it. It is very easy and quick to enter in, because we have a special door, very different than our competitors. Decorative painting included in the price and 100% dull even with opened doors. It is very light, for instance a 4,60 meters weights only 16,5 kg. Sphaera is made, not with vinyl, with a special fabric, fire resistant (M-1) and it is not plastic. It is 100% opaque. We manufacture 4 sizes of different diameters: 4.0m, 4.6m, 5.0m and 5.80m. The dome has a decorative painting (simulating galaxies), a bag to transport it and includes a silent fan with a protection box to move it. This box weights about 15 kg and it is cube shaped with 40 cm side. It is possible to manufacture a dome up to 30 m in diameter if required.