Star Gazing
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel 100,000 light years through space in two seconds? A full- dome digital projection system, launched Friday at H. R. MacMillan Space Centre, lets you do just that by providing images so stunning you can imagine yourself in a spaceship exploring the universe. It also takes visitors through our solar system, to the International Space Station hovering above Earth, and to each of Saturn’s 62 moons. The new $ 500,000 projection system replaces Harold, the projector used at the Space Centre for decades. “It’s a single, seamless image,” Rob Appleton, the Space Centre’s executive director, said of the new system. “We can fl y you to the edge of the universe, or anywhere else within the universe. We’re very happy with what it looks like. As a teaching tool, this is way more powerful ( than Harold). I hope this will double our attendance.” The images — based on real data from NASA — form a 40- minute show, with visuals 10 times better than those projected by Harold. The Colorspace system uses six video projectors to create a 4K image, replacing the 35mm slide- based system. “This new system is a quantum leap forward in technology,” said Appleton. The Space Centre is also introducing two new programs — The Searcher and IBEX: The Search of the Edge of the Solar System. A third program, an immersive music show that will debut this fall, is being designed by students from the Centre for Digital Media. Fourth and fi fth shows will be released later this fall and next spring. “These shows will be guided by an interpreter, but will also have the ability to be audience- driven — literally, with the use of an iPad,” added Appleton.