First Light from the projectors at 2:10 am on 12-8-11

waiting for First Light

A significant moment in the life of an instrument is the moment when light first flows through it.
Our First Light on Phase 2 occurred at 2:10 am on 12-8-11.

Matt Roberts carefully monitored the lamps performance and did preliminary work on the lenses after the lamps were switched on.

Matt Roberts is thrilled by the light from two of the projectors

Perhaps a small thing, none the less we felt like a part of history tonight, beginning a legacy that will educate the next generation of visitors to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

We have Ignition! WOO HOO!

first light reaction from Jan Breens and Matt Fox

WHATS all the excitement?

This shimmery blob, when properly spread out by the completed lens, and driven by the 8,847,360 pixels, will spark imaginations and dreams for many thousands of people when it fills the dome with amazing scientific simulations and more.

Mounting the SONY Projectors

On November 30th, the Heikoff Dome Theater was closed for one of the VERY few times in the 29 years I have worked here. The occasion was the installation of four SONY SRXT420 Projectors on the projector stands that had been installed in past few days. Each projector weighed in at 400 pounds, and they were skillfully  and carefully hoisted into place by our movers.

This ingenious wheeled contraption lowered the projectors onto the stands.

Very expensive and very delicate, the projectors were maneuvered into position and bolted down.

For the next few days the workers added air ducts to the system to bring the air that was heated by the four 4.3 kilowatt lamps away from the projectors.

cooling ducts on projectors

Like a plumbers dream, air ducts twine around the projector, slurping hot air away from the projectors

 The next step is to install the lamps and lenses, as well as the servers for both video and audio.