FAQ

WHAT IS A PLANETARIUM?

A planetarium is a theater with a large, domed screen that projects dynamic imagery in front of, above, and behind the audience to create a shared immersive experience. Most planetaria are stationary, contained within schools, universities, and science museums, but portable planetaria—such as the Solstice planetarium—also exist, providing the same experience on a smaller, more portable scale. Most planetarium programming is focused on space science, but can also cover content within the fields of biology, chemistry, history, and more.

HOW CAN I SEE A PLANETARIUM SHOW?

Solstice Outreach uses a portable planetarium dome to give our shows. That means you can see a show anywhere, anytime! We give shows only by reservation, which can be requested by following the instructions on our Contact page. At this time, we are only able to do private shows by reservation

WHERE IS SOLSTICE BASED? HOW FAR CAN YOU TRAVEL?

Solstice works in partnership with The Ohio State University to bring planetarium programming around the Pittsburgh tri-state area (Ohio, West Virginia, Southwestern Pennsylvania). As many of our planetarium presenters are based at Ohio State, additional travel fees may apply for long distance events. Please note that we book all events on a case-by-case basis—if you aren't sure if you are eligible, reach out to us and we would be happy to discuss with you!

HOW BIG IS THE PLANETARIUM DOME?

When fully inflated, the Solstice portable planetarium dome has the following specifications:

The planetarium dome is transported in a suitcase-sized duffel bag and takes approximately fifteen minutes to set up. 

HOW MUCH POWER DOES THE PLANETARIUM NEED?

The planetarium projector is designed to operate with a voltage of 100-240 VAC and a frequency of 50-60 Hz. The projector consumes a maximum power of 770 watts during operation. Both the projector and the blower can be plugged into a standard 120 VAC Edison wall socket.

WHERE CAN THE PLANETARIUM BE SET UP?

We can set the dome up anywhere with a minimum clearance of 11ft upwards and 20ft side to side. Unfortunately, the dome cannot be set up outside. When requesting a show, please take into consideration where you would like the dome to be set up!

WHO GIVES THE PLANETARIUM SHOWS?

Planetarium shows are given by astronomy, physics, and Earth science undergraduate and graduate students at The Ohio State University. We work closely with the Arne Slettebak Planetarium to ensure our presenters are equivalently trained, and many of our presenters have presented both with Solstice and at the Slettebak.

WHAT SOFTWARE / HARDWARE DO YOU USE?

Solstice Outreach uses Sky-Skan’s DigitalSky™ Dark Matter software, which provides real-time science exploration and the ability to import images, videos, and 3D models for custom programming. This same software is used by the American Museum of Natural History, Boston Museum of Science, NASA, National Geographic, the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, and dozens of other universities and science museums around the world


Our planetarium is a Digitalis Digitarium® 5m inflatable dome, which provides an easily portable, high-quality domed projection screen designed and assembled in the USA. We use the Digitalis Digitarium® Theta 2 projector model, which is a laser-phosphor model with high-contrast 2160 pixel diameter imagery. 

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY DURING A PROGRAM?

All planetarium presenters are trained on what to do in the case of a fire, power outage, or other emergency. All Solstice programming begins with a safety announcement that will go over instructions specific to that particular location. 

The system we use to keep the dome inflated is designed so that, even in the case of a power outage, the dome will not immediately deflate. This allows the presenter to facilitate an organized exit from the dome. Additionally, the planetarium dome is floorless, meaning in the case of any emergency that requires immediate and quick exit from the dome, the walls can be lifted and all participants can leave at once (see photo below).

Image: Digitalis Education

READY TO REACH OUT?

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page before submitting a planetarium program request.