I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy….

This of course is the old planetarium star projector, installed in 1967 when the M. D. Anderson Planetarium was first built.  The design is nearly as simple as can be:  the stars are holes of varying sizes in a metal sphere, and an arc lamp inside shines light through the holes onto the planetarium dome.  Larger stars and the Milky Way are represented by larger openings with lenses to spread the light out.

(Photo courtesy of Dr. Lisa Norgard.)

Posted by Matthew R. Francis under Director's Notes & Photos |