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. During summer 2009 the
planetarium went through significant renovations and upgrades including
new carpet, chairs, sound system, lighting, and control console.
Two new projectors supplement the original Spitz opto-mechanical
projector: a fulldome digital projection system called Uniview and a
fulldome RGB state-of-the art laser projection system. Uniview is
the most feature-rich astronomical visualization and universal data
exploration platform available. Uniview is a computer graphics
platform bringing information databases to life in a 3D environment
much like an immersive computer game. Loaded with scientific
content, Uniview brings the audience to the science and allows truly
meaningful and engaging presentations. The SMSU Planetarium has
now entered a new era with Fulldome Digital Shows. Experience
immersive high-tech adventures in an all-around 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 powerful
subwoofers 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. 
