Specification:

The Starlab dome is available in two different sizes, Standard and Giant. The domes are made from a nylon-reinforced, flame retardant, industrial grade fabric. The outer surface of this durable fabric insures opacity even in fully lightened rooms. The inside surface has an aluminized reflective coating designed to clearly display bright images.

A powerful fan inflates and circulates the dome. Air is exchanged every five minutes through a carefully designed ventilation system which maintains a comfortable temperature and prevent excessive air loss during entry and exit.

While the standard dome can be set up almost anywhere and can accommodate from 25 to 35 adults or children, the Giant Dome has the capacity to seat more than 60 adults or up to 90 small children. The Giant Dome is best set up in an auditorium, a gymnasium or a large classroom. It is an ideal tool for large school groups, for museum programs including community outreach and fundraisers, for star parties and individuals running their own educational business who desire the capability of accommodating larger groups.

The Setup:

The Starlab system includes everything you need for exciting, interactive, hands on lessons.

The entire system packs into a duffle bag and travel cases compact enough to fit into most small cars, manageable enough to be set up by one person, portable enough to be set up right in a school hall.

The Projector:

The Starlab Projector creates brilliant images using a high-intensity halogen cycle lamp designed exclusively for the Starlab system. The brightness of the projector lamp is fully adjustable. Dimmable side lamps (house lights) make it possible to direct light wherever needed. They facilitate lighting the entry tube of the Starlab Dome, make it easy to read a lesson or map, or brighten the entire dome. A cylinder platform on the projector can be rotated manually or automatically to allow for seasonal changes, sunrise, sunset, multiphase moon or global rotation. It can also be set for any month of the year, time of night, and geographic location.

Features included with the projector are shown below:-

1. High intensity halogen cycle lamp gimbaled to maintain a vertical position at any latitude; the lamp housing serves to define the horizon on the dome; the halogen bulb maintains its full brilliance throughout its life.
2. Transparent cylinder platform: made of plexiglass for resiliency and transparency; projections show through to 75 degrees south declination.
3. Moon phases: these steel disks simulate 12 positions of the moon from the new moon to full moon; attach magnetically to the Starfield cylinder.
4. Magnetic accessory bar: this strip conveniently holds the moon phases, the planet projectors and light blocks where they are easily accessible.
5. Projection lamp dimmer knob, on/off switch: controls the brightness of the projector bulb.
6. Side lamp dimmer knob: controls the brightness of the "house lights.
7. Motorized drive control switch: starts rotation of the cylinder platform.
8. Side lamps: these "house lights" allow light to be directed where it is needed within the dome.
9. Planet projectors: these hand-set planets (Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, Mercury) attach to the Starfield cylinder, accurately simulating their appearance in the night sky.
10. Daily motion motor: rotates the cylinders to simulate the movement of the celestial sphere over 24 hours (1 rotation every 4 minutes).
11. Hour and date scale: adjusts to allow you to view the nighttime sky at any time of day and month of the year (see detail).

12. Cylinder alignment key: correctly positions the cylinder on the projector.

13. Latitude map: adjusts to allow you to view the nighttime sky at any desired latitude (see detail).

14. Magnetic cylinder fasteners: secures the cylinder in place on the projector.

15. Pressure bar for adjusting latitude: provides an easy grip for tilting the cylinder platform to change the latitude.