|
The Megastar-IIb Projector has entered the business of technical production of star balls in July 2009. It arises from the improvement of two previous models (Megastar I and II-Cosmos) that were first presented in 1998 and 2003, respectively. The latest model can be employed in middle-sized domes with a diameter of 10 to 15 m. Twelve lenses illuminate the photographic star fields that display several million stars in total. The number is based on the better photographic plates for the Milky Way. About 100 deep-sky objects are included. However, 20 individual stars are projected separately with their distinct colour. The main feature of Megastar-IIb is the presentation of the celectial sky. Motions of the sun, moon, and planets are available as additional option only. The same holds for constellation figures, grids, precession, and scincillation that need extra devices. The axes provide diurnal and annual motion and latitude variation. The projector has compact dimensions (the height of the egg-shaped body is about 72 cm), and it is very light: 45 kg according to the data sheet of the manufacturer. The first installation is the 12 meter dome of the Children's Science Center in Atsugi in July 2009.
|