Nagoya City Science Museum
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Planetarium Outline
The characteristics of the planetarium will be introduced.
▼Planetarium Narration Control Panel (Console) ▼Barrier-free design
The planetarium of the Nagoya City Science Museum opened on November 3rd, 1962. Till its closure on August 31st, 2010 (during 48 years), the museum had been visited by more than 15 million people. Through renovation of the Astronomy and Science and Technology Buildings, the new planetarium was opened in March, 2011. It was built replicate an actual starry sky as accurately as possible and with a diameter of 35 meters, it the world's largest and highest-quality dome.
Although the video equipment and planetarium itself have been revamped, the live narrations about the starry sky are still in place, just as they were. A special program, with a slightly shorter projection, is being provided between the planetarium's re-opening day of March 19th, 2011 and the end of August.
After September 2011, projection times will return to their original 50 minutes while introducing a different theme every month. Topics such as seasonal stars and astronomy will be also presented.
All the work involved in providing starry sky projections including research, planning, program structuring, image creation , music compilation, computer programming, and more is actually done by the museum curators. We invite you to come and enjoy the live narrations from our curators and a starry sky that is as close as possible to the real thing.
(A 35-meter, flat-shaped dome with a “UNIVERSARIUM Model IX” planetarium featuring 350 seats arranged in a concentric pattern)
Planetarium
Projections can be carried out with the “UNIVERSARIUM Model IX planetarium” (optical planetarium) which replicates celestial scenes uncanny in their realism. Also features the “Sky Max DSII”, which creates such scenes using computers. It can even create celestial canopies in the past and future, and simulate space travel.
Detail・・Main Unit
Video Footage and Sound System
In addition to the starry sky produced by the planetarium, the planetarium also features many video systems including equipment capable of showing powerful footage of the entire sky, a digital panorama system that can project high-resolution skyscapes, a laser projection system, and a group of auxiliary projectors.
The planetarium is also equipped with a sound system exclusively designed for planetarium spaces. Music is quietly played as you watch a sky full of stars and listen to the narration with sound that is specially-processed and natural. Sounds also jump around in the dome, allowing for audio tricks such as making you hear crickets chirping under your seat.
Detail・・Main Unit
Dome
The planetarium features spacious seating. Large reclining seats made with artificial leather allow you to not only lean back, but also turn left and right to get different views of the vast celestial canopy.
Because seat reservations are required (with seat designations shown on tickets) for general audiences and children, there is no need to line up early to secure a seat. While waiting for a projection to begin, you can enjoy our exhibitions. When you do come in, seat numbers are easy to find as they are printed on both sides of the seat.
Detail・・Main Unit
Planetarium Narration Control Panel (Console)
This is for our narrators to control the systems mentioned above. All the systems are handled from this one console. When a narrator cannot see the stars during a narration, it is impossible for them to guide you to those stars. This console makes it so that systems can be controlled even when the computer monitor is off and there is no light. We have also minimized the light that leaks out from computers to your seat. Creating an environment in which stars can be clearly observed is top priority.
Barrier-free design
For wheelchair users
Since you will need to look up while inside the planetarium, we recommend wheelchair users use our specially-arranged seats. These seats are made for wheelchair users and allow you to enjoy the stars with your care giver without having to get out of your own wheelchair.. Please contact the City Science Museum if you would like more information.
For those with hearing impairments
Our planetarium, provides hearing aid systems that use “infrared rays” and a “magnetic loop system”. Those who require infrared hearing aids, please talk to our receptionists. If you require a hearing aid with a magnetic loop system, please inform us when purchasing a planetarium ticket, and we will assign you an appropriate seat. Please contact the museum for more information.
Dear customers with small children
・Please keep your child without ticket on the lap.
・If your child can`t keep silence or can`t sit still during the show, we might escort you out of the dome.