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"Some day in the not too distant future
you'll be able to go to a movie and
the movie will be all around you.
The movie will be over your head,
it will be 360 degrees around you"

- Steven Spielberg, TIME Magazine, 2006

"A dome is such a great shape to project
a movie on. I think one day people will have
domes in their homes. They’re magical"

- David Lynch, The Art Newspaper, 2008
 

THE AFFORDABLE
FULLDOME PROJECTION SYSTEM

Discovery Dome is the very latest projection system for small to medium digital dome theatres.

Discovery Dome mirror projection offers both a superior and affordable alternative to expensive fisheye projection systems. Our recently released Newtonain-2 projection unit contains the world's first and only durable, non-scratch, first-surface coated spherical mirror.


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Hot stuff! : Microsoft recommends Discovery Dome (Go-Dome) for its WorldWide Telescope software!
 
Mirror advantages Mirror disadvantages Fisheye advantages Fisheye disadvantages
Fully modular system: as projectors improve,
you simply upgrade to a new one
Small area at the back of the dome not covered (4%)
100% dome coverage
Lenses custom-made for projectors, making projector upgrades almost impossible
without a new lens as well
Local service on international projector brands
Brief time required to
align mirror
Slightly easier to set up
System considerably more expensive overall
Projection equipment located at the back of
the dome, leaving the central (best) seats for customers, allowing 20% more seating space
Slight image distortion at
the back of the dome
Fisheye photos can be
displayed immediately
Projection equipment located at the centre of the dome, taking up the best viewing space
Mirrors are far less expensive to replace
than fisheye lenses
 
Projection equipment and cables can be
easily tampered by audience
Larger fraction of projector's pixels are used ie. over 75% instead of 45% for an imbedded circle (see below).
A better quality image is therefore produced at the front (where the audience is looking)
Fewer projected pixels (see below). A better quality image is produced at the rear (where the audience is not looking)

 

So Mirror projection uses 316,512 more pixels

ie. almost a THIRD (28%) better resolution!

 

 

 

 

 
       
  • The mirror projection system can be used in both fixed and mobile domes of any size. The largest fixed installations so far are 15m (50ft) domes, including the Birla Planetarium of the Tamilnadu Science Centre in India. Bigger domes simply require a brighter projector.
     
  • Did you know you can turn your 15m theatre into a digital planetarium for less than $33,000? All you need is a Newtonian mirror ($4,500), MacBook Pro ($2,500) and powerful Projection Design F30 projector ($25,000).
     
  • In mobile operations, the lightweight portability of the compact fold-up Newtonian stand (see below) makes transport simple and hassle-free.
     
  • The projector, laptop, sound system and blower fan can be purchased locally, simplifying warranty and service arrangements.
     
  • Currently projector resolution is either 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 - whichever is more affordable. And it is possible to upgrade at any time, without the need for costly manufacturer support  
     
  • Astronomy software is the free (open source) award-winning Stellarium, as well as the free (open source) 3-D Space simulation application Celestia  (in contrast to the expensive proprietary astronomy programmes sold with most fisheye systems). Now also the fabulous WorldWide Telescope
     
  • Just as mirror-based telescopes (reflectors) are more cost-effective than lens-based telescopes (refractors), so fulldome mirror projection systems are more cost-effective than fisheye lens systems. Mirror details can be found here, and photographic examples of installations can be seen here.
     
  • A comprehensive collection of questions and answers about mirror dome projection can be found here.
    •


Mirror dome projection is the inexpensive way of filling a dome with imagery.
A small shadow is created by the mirror at the back of the theatre, which is inconsequential as the audience is facing the other way
 
Fibreglass Newtonian mirror projection box
(also available in wood)




 

 



The basic components of a mobile system are laptop, projector, primary mirror, secondary mirror and fold-up stand. Unlike other fulldome digital projection systems, this unit is placed at the edge of the dome and does not occupy valuable audience space

(click on images to see a larger version)

 
 
Extremely portable
Below is all the equipment of a 5-m system, on one easy-to-transport trolley
 (ie. 5-m dome, fan, projector, 200W speakers, laptop, mirror & stand)
 


Weight and dimensions of components: 

Blower fan (15kg) = 52 x 41 x 49 cm
Expandable trolley (13kg) = (89-132) x 40 x 20 cm
5-m dome in bag (31kg) = approx. 75 x 45 x 35 cm
Storm case [with speakers + projector + table] (33kg) = 74 x 46 x 35 cm
Newtonian (5kg) = 64 x 33 x 23 cm when closed (when open, the primary mirror swings up to 46cm)
 

Being small and compact, the projection stand and mirror cast a very small shadow on the back of the dome (see below)