The “Sky-Skan dome” created an unprecedented mobile 360° experience for all senses for the scientists of the International Planetarium Society (IPS) in July 2012. At the world’s largest planetarium conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, they went on sensationally high-quality, all-encompassing journeys into the universe.

This was made possible by the combination of three components: projection, 3D audio and mobile space. The geodesic dome with its 14 m diameter provided the space for the Immersive Media Screen, creating 225 sqm of low-reflection vacuum projection surface inside.

The technology on the outside of the dome was concealed by a black theater curtain fabric attached directly to the vacuum profile, which also served as acoustic insulation. On the profile of the vacuum ring was a specially designed receptacle for the LED “Cove Light” elements, which provided diffuse background lighting during breaks between shows. Additional effect: the conference participants (who were reluctant to leave the special room) were shown the way to the exits via light effect.

The vacuum pump technology developed by ZENDOME kept the reflection minimized membrane in shape with 0,3 mbar. The projection system of the market leader Sky-Skan recorded the Immersive Media Screen with special spherically corrected lenses and a resolution of 4k (12 million pixels).

In the encapsulated ZENDOME vacuum system there was also absolute silence – the ideal space for the 360° audio system by IOSONO. This filled the ZENDOME with spectacular 3D sound and created a goose bump effect.

With the unique combination of this know-how, new standards for the presentation of 360° content were set – and that in a setup time of only two days.

Photo credit: ZENVISION