Space, as Douglas Adams once wrote, is big. Really big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is.
But for the sky-high ambitions of COSI, it may not be quite big enough. That’s why the center’s new and improved Planetarium – slated to open Nov. 22 – will offer patrons the opportunity to explore more than merely the known universe.
The creation of the new 60-foot, 200-seat dome was announced by COSI President and CEO David Chesebrough at COSI’s 50th anniversary celebration in March. The new Planetarium replaces one that closed 10 years ago.
“We had always had it on a list of things we wanted to bring back,” says Kate Storm, director of theaters for COSI. “All of us grew up with planetariums.”
The old version was shut down partly for budget reasons, but also because it had been left behind by evolving technology. It was installed in 1999, and had been part of a traveling exhibition for a few years prior. It could only show in one color, a shade of green, and could only display 3D wire-frame images.
“The technology even in video games bypassed us quickly,” says Storm.
The new version, though, uses two digital projectors that overlap for a seamless image. That means a greater c
apacity for adaptability as technology improves – and it also means the ability to project more than the night sky.
“The nice thing with the digital system is, once the system is in place, you can keep getting new content and creating new content,” says Storm. “We can put anything up on that dome.”
Non-sky experiences available to Planetarium visitors will range from the bottom of the ocean and the inside of the human body to microscopic magnifications and satellite images.
“I think the real value of a planetarium, period, is it’s immersive,” Storm says. “When you’re looking at any sort of topic or image … this is a technology that can really take you inside an experience.”
And attendees will be able to do more than just look. The projector is controlled by a tablet with simple drag-and-drop controls that can be handed off to audience members once the show is up and running.
“(Patrons) can take control and fly into or out of space,” says Storm.
On top of that, COSI is exploring the use of the Planetarium for video games. That could include existing games that would benefit from the 60-foot, two-screen treatment – think Tetris – or games specifically created for the Planetarium.
Video games are just one type of interactive technology that might become available as COSI works to incorporate motion-sensor technology, allowing users to guide themselves through what they see projected.
“The images that are on the screen – you should be able to control your direction moving through them,” Storm says.
The projector can also be used for more standard programming, such as live concerts, DJ music and simulated laser shows. For groups that rent out the space, it can be used for such things as corporate presentations and school projects.
And the technology is such that putting together visual presentations specifically for use in the Planetarium is fairly easy, Storm says. Images can be rendered in 3D off-site and then brought into COSI, or COSI can help out with rendering. Video and animation can also be created off-site for use in the Planetarium
.
“Basically, it’s a blank canvas,” says Storm.
When it’s not being rented out, the Planetarium will have regularly scheduled shows, as other cinematic experiences at COSI do.
Garth Bishop is managing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
