ZEISS equips planetarium in Korean city of Cheongju

Jena/Germany, Cheongju/Korea | 22 September 2020 | ZEISS Planetariums

ZEISS completed the installation of a new "VELVET LED" fulldome video system for the Chungbuk Science Center in the Korean city of Cheongju in September. The science center consists of a planetarium, an observatory and, a large exhibition area with interactive exhibits that focus on science.

Six ZEISS VELVET LED projectors produce fulldome images on the 25 degrees tilted planetarium dome. ZEISS VELVET technology has been fitted to numerous planetariums for a good 10 years. The use of semiconductor light sources is a new feature of VELVET projectors: the LEDs provide a brighter overall display with significantly improved color brilliance. As a result, customers no longer have to worry about paying for regular bulb changes. The exceptionally high contrast for the ZEISS VELVET projectors is also retained with the new LED generation. "The absolutely black background ensures that the starry sky of an analog planetarium projector loses none of its natural brilliance and continues to evoke an emotional response in visitors," explains Martin Kraus, Head of ZEISS Planetariums. First launched in 2019, the new projectors are now also being used outside of Germany for the first time.

The ZEISS STARMASTER, a planetarium projector from ZEISS, has been used to illustrate astronomical relationships in the 16-meter dome of the planetarium since 2001. In addition to installing the ZEISS VELVET video system, the company also provided technical maintenance of the ZEISS STARMASTER projector. A virtual presentation of the universe has been added to the displays of the traditional planetarium thanks to the new digital projection system – on the basis of scientific data and to enable the possibility of presenting shows and films in dome format. The corresponding software and a selection of current shows on mainly astronomical topics are also part of the scope of delivery from ZEISS. The opto-mechanical starry sky with digital displays is projected synchronously. ZEISS calls this technology "True Black Hybrid-Planetarium".

"For the Korean education center, the ability to teach sciences is key mission for the future of the young generation of the country," continues Kraus. "Building on the foundations of science and available to anyone who's interested, planetariums and interactive exhibitions provide easy access to advanced scientific education outside the school environment."