Barco’s “I-DOME™” and R.S.A.Cosmos zoom visitors through the Solar System at re-opening of l’Astronef, Planetarium de Saint-Etienne

To complement its completely graphical planetarium solution, R.S.A. Cosmos again selected Barco’s I-DOME™ system, which premiered at the Valladolid planetarium. At St-Etienne the Barco I-DOME™ consists of six BarcoReality 909 planetarium projectors combining 1280 by 1024 pixel format graphics to a total of over 6 million pixels. Laser array alignment units are placed immediately under the projectors for accurate alignment of all projected images and simplified maintenance. The lasers project reference points on the dome, allowing for accurate adjustment and easy realignment of the projection system. SEMU II Advanced real time penta hardware takes care of perfect edge blending between the projected images, inclusive the penta-shaped zenith part.

 Photo courtesy Guy Dubreuil

As Barco’s I-DOME™ system handles the complete visualization, including predistortion and blending of the images through dedicated electronics inside the Barco projectors, a correct geometry is achieved on the dome screen, without requiring additional computational power. This total planetarium visualization solution from Barco considerably widens the scope for image generation, allowing the use of high grade PC’s. And most important of all, it gives a planetarium the capability to simultaneously contribute to various exhibitions and events, since the I-DOME™ can project whatever content is provided by the computers.

To gain space the projector for the zenith is a very compact Split-Pack digital display system, installed inside a desk at the back of the audience area. This extra rugged version of the BarcoReality 909 planetarium projector allows placing the projector head separate from the electronics chassis. As all projectors are located at the perimeter of the 12m large dome, 15 extra seats were placed in the center of the planetarium, now allowing for 90 visitors to see the show.

 Photo courtesy R.S.A. Cosmos

“We are very pleased with the installation and the excellent performance of the Barco projection system”, said Ghaouti Hansali, Director of the Planetarium de Saint Etienne “Our co-operation with R.S.A. Cosmos and the Barco-team has been very fluent and the system operates exactly as planned.”

The technology used for the Planetarium of the Science Center of St-Etienne is based on the yearlong experience and a vast data-base of installed systems, enabling the Barco engineering team to quickly and efficiently submit detailed studies for the total visualization system, taking into account the specific parameters of dome size, type of image generator and type of content to be shown. Barco Edutainment and Entertainment invites Science Centers, Museums and Planetariums that are either in the process of creating a new exhibition area or undergoing a major renovation, to partner together and study possible avenues of collaboration. Barco E&E will help set new trends using the latest state-of-the-art technologies that shift the focus from mere “showing” to profound “immersing” and even more desirable “creating interaction” with the visitor. 

 Photo courtesy R.S.A. Cosmos

About Barco

Barco, an international company headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, is active in three key areas of imaging technology. Barco designs and develops solutions for large screen visualization, display solutions for life-critical applications, and systems for visual inspection. Barco has a network of subsidiaries, distributors and agents in almost 100 countries. Barco is quoted on Brussels/Euronext and is a BEL 20 and a Next 150 company.

About R.S.A.Cosmos

R.S.A.Cosmos, French planetarium manufacturer, designs, manufactures and sells planetarium equipment for all kind of end-users (astronomy associations and clubs, schools, universities, museums and entertainment parks). R.S.A.Cosmos has developed a new type of planetarium using Barco technology, which is completely graphical. The solution developed is the latest high-end solution for graphical planetarium including 3D graphical sky and solar system simulation, combined with an all-sky video system. R.S.A.Cosmos has the capability to supply turnkey planetarium solutions from building design up to show contents.

For more information, please contact

Els Van Loocke
Marketing Communications Manager
Barco Presentation&Simulation

Telephone +32 56 368667
contact.bps@barco.com

Eric Braux
Director European Business Operation V&AR


Telephone +32-56-36 8716
eric.braux@barco.com