The
Southwest Minnesota State University Planetarium is located in SM
(Science
& Math Building) Room 108. SMSU's planetarium houses a Spitz
512 star projector system with a 30-foot dome. The Spitz 512
planetarium
projector, located at the center of the theater, is the heart of the
planetarium
and can accurately simulate the night sky as seen from anywhere on
Earth
thousands of years in the past OR future. When the room lights
are darkened,
the dome is transformed into an amazingly realistic simulation of the
starry
sky. The Spitz 512 is capable of projecting the sun, moon, the 5
naked-eye planets, and about 4,000 stars on the domed ceiling with
accuracy
in brightness and color. The result is a simulation of the nighttime
sky
that can be seen day or night — cloudy or clear. Recently, we've
added a full-dome laser projector that brings brilliantly colored laser
animations to the dome. The SMSU
Planetarium enters a new era with Fulldome Digital Shows.
Experience
immersive high-tech adventures in a true 360-degree projected computer
generated virtual environment. The Fulldome Experience is the
biggest advance in the Planetarium's capabilities since the theater
opened almost 40 years ago. Audiences can fall through a black hole,
witness the beginnings of the universe, fly through Saturn's rings,
swim with whales and much more! Viewers feel like they are part of the
unfolding scene, whether it's on the bottom of the ocean or in some
distant part of the universe. The Planetarium's
auxiliary equipment includes
a triple rear-screen projector system
in the front. There is a slide automation system connected to an
array of slide projectors, a state-of-the-art stereo
sound system used for background music, sound effects, and program
narration.
The sound system includes a high fidelity amplifier connected to 5
speakers
mounted behind the aluminum perforated dome along with a powerful
subwoofer providing 5.1 surround sound.
There are several special-effects projectors including a warp drive
projector,
a zoom projector, and a zoom/slew projector system. Not far from the
planetarium
is a roof-top observation deck and telescopes for observing the real
sky.
