Standard and FiberArc STARLAB Projectors

The Standard STARLAB Projector

The Standard STARLAB projector, which is UL listed and CE approved, creates brilliant images using a high-intensity, halogen cycle lamp designed exclusively for the STARLAB system. The brightness of the projector lamp is fully adjustable. Dimmable side lamps (house lights) make it possible to direct light wherever needed. They facilitate lighting the entry tube, make it easy to read a lesson or map, or brighten the entire dome.

A cylinder platform on the projector can be rotated manually or automatically to allow for seasonal changes, sunrise, sunset, multiphase moon or global rotation. It can also be set for any month of the year, time of night, and geographic location. The STARLAB projector is a technically advanced piece of equipment, yet very simple to operate.

1. High intensity halogen cycle lamp: gimballed to maintain a vertical position at any latitude; the lamp housing serves to define the horizon on the dome; the halogen bulb maintains its full brilliance throughout its life.
2. Transparent cylinder platform: made of plexiglass for resiliency and transparency; projections show through to 75 degrees south declination.
3. Moon phases: these steel disks simulate 12 positions of the moon from the new moon to full moon; attach magnetically to the Starfield cylinder.
4. Magnetic accessory bar: this strip conveniently holds the moon phases, the planet projectors and light blocks where they are easily accessible.
5. Projection lamp dimmer knob, on/off switch: controls the brightness of the projector bulb.
6. Side lamp dimmer knob: controls the brightness of the "house lights."
7. Motorized drive control switch: starts rotation of the cylinder platform.
8. Side lamps: these "house lights" allow light to be directed where it is needed within the dome.
9. Planet projectors: these handset planets (Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, Mercury) attach to the Starfield cylinder, accurately simulating their appearance in the night sky.
10. Daily motion motor: rotates the cylinders to simulate the movement of the celestial sphere over 24 hours (1 rotation every 4 minutes).
11. Hour and date scale: adjusts to allow you to view the nighttime sky at any time of day and month of the year.
12. Cylinder alignment key: correctly positions the cylinder on the projector.
13. Latitude map: adjusts to allow you to view the nighttime sky at any desired latitude.
14. Magnetic cylinder fasteners: secures the cylinder in place on the projector.
15. Pressure bar for adjusting latitude: provides an easy grip for tilting the cylinder platform to change the latitude.

The FiberArc STARLAB Projector and MultiLens Starfield Cylinder

Using a state-of-the-art miniature arc lamp and fiber optic technology, the STARLAB FiberArc projector produces intense pinpoint star images never before seen in small projectors. It features bright, crisp, projections of constellations, the earth and other images with full color saturation. The FiberArc also includes adjustable quartz halogen gooseneck side lamps for reading and drawing ease inside the dome plus azimuth and meridian reference projectors for teaching advanced concepts.

The MultiLens Starfield Cylinder made exclusively for the STARLAB, now includes an extraordinarily precise depiction of the Milky Way based on the beautiful and highly accurate all-sky panoramas created by Dr. Axel Mellinger. From July 1997 to April 2000 Mellinger used specialized tracking cameras and Kodak film to take 51 wide-angle photos of the northern and southern hemispheres. These precise images have been carefully adapted to the cylindrical starfield projection creating a night sky so detailed, one can easily pick out features like the Coal Sack and the Milky Way center, as well as the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds and Andromeda Galaxy.

The MultiLens Starfield Cylinder also includes new custom-fabricated lenses. The 70 brightest stars are individually collimated and aligned with computer-designed, 2-element lenses producing the most accurate starfield of any small planetarium projector.

1. FiberArc lens and fiber-optic housing: gimballed light source for projection
2. Projection on/off switch: turns the FiberArc lamp on and off.
3. Projection brightness knob: controls brightness of image projected on the dome.
4. Three way switch for platform rotation: clockwise for the northern hemisphere, counterclockwise for the southern hemisphere and off.
5. Platform speed control: controls the speed of the daily motion.
6. Switch for independent vs. dual side lamp operation: controls on/off and sets preference for independent vs dual controls.
7. Four gooseneck side lamp knobs: control the brightness of the gooseneck side lamps.
8. Meridian/Cardinal Points Projectors on/off switch
9. Meridian Projector knob: controls brightness of the Meridian Projector
10. Cardinal Points Projector knob: controls brightness of the Cardinal Points Projector
11. Cardinal Points Projector: produces images of the directional points N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
12. Meridian Projector: produces a scale from northern horizon to zenith to southern horizon with degrees of declination marked in 5º intervals.
13. Four, removable, fully-adjustable gooseneck side lamps: each has a 5-watt bulb in the head. Useful for illuminating the dome, the entry tube, the control panels on the projector and for low-light reading.