SPACEGATE Nova

SPACEGATE Nova
Ralf Hasse, Head R&D
Carl Zeiss, Planetarium Division
Recent years have seen a rapid development of digital projection solutions for various applications. At first sight, any commercial video projector with a wide-angle lens might be eligible for multichannel dome projection. However, in developing
and launching a fulldome system we accept responsibility for
the long-lasting quality of image projection, compatibility with
optical-mechanical planetarium projectors, suitable control
interfaces, and optimum projector arrangement. The merit of
a fulldome system is defined by many factors. From the start,
Carl Zeiss excludes commercial projectors that have a planned
service life of a few years only and whose image quality visibly
deteriorates within a few thousand operating hours. We set
ourselves high standards with regard to image definition, contrast and brightness.
Our SPACEGATE Nova is a concept for multichannel fulldome
solutions based on a variety of video projectors, which we
Two-channel SPACEGATE Nova with F35 projectors and SKYMASTER ZKP 4 for
have thoroughly tested for their dome projection capability.
domes up to 12 m in diameter. Artwork: Carl Zeiss.
With a broad spectrum of possible configurations, we can
satisfy individual user requirements. Which projector is chosen
depends on dome size, the required brightness and contrast
levels, serviceability in the respective country, and, finally,
on the budget. SPACEGATE Nova, therefore, is not a system
with a one-for-all specification but will be configured for the
specific project. Some versions such as the Duo solution with
two DLP projectors made by projectiondesign we regard as
semistandard, as they can be employed in many dome theaters
without major adaptation work.
In most cases, SPACEGATE Nova can be used jointly with pla-
Selection of projectors suitable for SPACEGATE Nova
Manufacturer
Type
Technology
Resolution
Brightness
Contrast
proj.
design
F32
DLP
1920 x
1200
2900 lm
7500 : 1
proj.
design
F35
DLP
2560 x
1600
2900 lm
8000 : 1
JVC
Sony
Sony
RS55
D-ILA
1920 x
1080
1200 lm
80,000 : 1
T110
SXRD
4096 x
2160
11,000 lm
2500 : 1
T420
SXRD
4096 x
2160
21,000 lm
3000 : 1
12 - 18 m
(40 - 60 ft)
6
F32
periphery
3 k
3.2
18 - 20 m
(60 - 66 ft)
8
F35
periphery
5 k
2.0
20 - 25 m
(66 - 82 ft)
2
T420
periphery
4 k
2.7
netarium projectors. Its combination and synchronous use with
current Carl Zeiss opto-mechanical projectors is made possible
by the powerdome software.
For SPACEGATE Nova, too, we offer camera-based automatic
projector calibration. It permits automatic correction of the
geometry of the fulldome image – a correction that may be
needed seldom or more frequently, depending on the projector type.
SPACEGATE Nova Configuration examples
Dome
diameter
Channel
Projector
Placement
Resolution (ca.)
Pixel size (')
8 - 12 m
(26 - 40 ft)
2
F32 / F35
center
2 k / 2.5 k
5
12 - 15 m
(40 - 50 ft)
9
RS55
periphery
4 k
2.6
Innovation Special Planetariums 9, 2012
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