VCSU Planetarium Announces Major Upgrade
Photo: The 1973 Spitz projector is shown darkened in the foreground while a video from the new Warped Media projector plays on the VCSU planetarium dome.
VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – The Valley City State University Planetarium received a major upgrade in November, adding a new full-dome projection system that greatly improves the quality of future presentations.
The Planetarium recently installed a Warped Media system, which includes a 1K laser projector and the ability to warp an image or video to fit the entire planetarium dome. The new system debuts to the public with a free show on Saturday, Dec. 20.
“This is the first truly major upgrade in 20 years for our planetarium,” said Wes Anderson, VCSU planetarium director. “The new projection system greatly improves the offerings we can provide to visitors, offering a fun, immersive experience. It works in tandem to our original Spitz machine and come with 22 professionally created presentations and shows.”
The public is invited to experience the new system firsthand with a free show at 1 p.m. on Dec. 20. Teather Sundstrom, professor in the science department, will present “Solar Quest” and “The Sun” which are two new videos on the Warped Media system.
“Sitting under the dome watching these videos can feel like stepping into a different world,” said Sundstrom. “This Warped Media system is truly remarkable.”
Along with the 22 new shows, VCSU can also buy or rent hundreds of professionally produced shows that are featured in planetariums across the world. Anderson said the planetarium will also continue to use its 1973 Spitz machine in conjunction with the new system.
The VCSU Planetarium offers free public shows once per month. School classes and youth groups can also schedule free showings by emailing Teather Sundstrom, teather.sundstrom@vcsu.edu. Private parties can schedule planetarium shows for a small fee.
The VCSU Planetarium is located in the Rhoades Science Center, 3rd Floor #309. Elevator access is available at the west entrance to Rhoades Science Center.
About The Shows
Solar Quest: Discover NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory and explore the science behind our planet’s invisible shield and the mission that helps us understand it.
The Sun: Explore the secrets of our Sun and discover how it measures up against countless stars scattered across the cosmos.
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For more information about VCSU or to arrange an interview, contact Mark Potts at mark.m.potts@vcsu.edu or 701-845-7228.