Special Fabric

Stargazer Planetariums create domes to order, using the latest fabric technology.

Our current domes are made out of a single skin, from a fabric developed especially for us. The panels of the fabric are bonded together, creating an air-tight and absolutely opaque screen which is robust and fire-retardent.

This produces a hard-wearing and durable dome, which retains its opacity, even after heavy use. The dome shown above (one of our older, stitched seam versions) is in direct strong sunlight, but it is still completely dark inside.

Notice the black sealing tape which is stuck over the stitched seams. These have now been eliminated by the use of new bonding techniques. You can see the differences in the dome shown at the bottom right, which is a new bonded seam version.

Fans and Air Technology

Our domes are supplied with small electrical fans, with variable speeds. The fan is used at high speed to inflate the dome. This normally takes only a few minutes.

Once inflated, the fan can be turned down so that it is virtually silent within the dome. The air inside the dome is being constantly refreshed.

Stargazer's unique scoop technology ensures that those inside the dome have a constantly refreshed air-supply, without feeling a direct draught.

Dome Entrance

Stargazer Domes are entered via a zipped doorway, once the dome is fully inflated. Although some air does escape whilst the door is open, the fan can easily compensate.

Once everyone is inside, the zip is closed and the fan is turned down. It is also possible to add a doorway to the dome, if required. This doorway can be used as an airlock, which can be particularly useful for allowing wheelchair users easy access.

It is also possible to design and construct a special door using two zips and add an airlock which can facilitate entry by wheelchair users.

The Stargazer Difference

Stargazer Dome technology produces a robust portable dome with an exceptionally smooth interior projection surface.

The illustration shows the latest bonding technology used to join adjacent fabric panels together. This means that there are no stitched seams on the main dome to let in light and which have to be taped. Taping is restricted to the add-on parts, such as the inlet or vents. This technique minimises wrinkles, even after the dome has seen heavy use. Although some slight wrinkling can be seen from the outside with tangential lighting, the fabric joins are invisible from within the dome in radial light. This gives Stargazer Domes an unrivalled projection surface for an inflatable dome.

Safety First

Stargazer Domes are also designed with safety in mind. Our domes are made of a specially developed fire retardant fabric, which has passed all relevant safety tests.The dome can easily be collapsed in a crescent on to the floor of the hall.

It is no exaggeration to state that it takes only THREE SECONDS from start to finish. The audience is then completely free to move off in any direction. There is always initial scepticism of this claim, but a simple demonstration proves the point and serves to allay any fears on safety grounds.