Portable Christie Inspire Series 1DLP laser projectors are being deployed for an innovative educational project in Brazil, which has already transformed the way way one million students learn about astronomy. Urânia Fulldome, a specialist in educational technology, has created the “O planetário móvel vai às escolas” project (The planetarium goes to schools), which brings immersive, 360-degree educational films to schools using mobile domes.
The 13 mobile inflatable domes, which measure 7m (23ft) in diameter and 3.8m (12.5ft) in height, travel to different Brazilian states in dedicated trucks. Each portable planetarium is equipped with a single 8,500 lumen 4K UHD Christie 4K860-iS projector and provides a fully immersive visual experience for up to 60 students seated on tatamis on the floor.
With multiple sessions throughout the day, each dome has the capacity to serve up to 600 students daily. The domes’ synthetic fabric construction, tailored specifically for Urânia, allows for quick and easy setup, with the entire structure inflating in minutes.
Since the project’s launch, one million students have had the opportunity to experience the wonder of the Cosmos through these full HD and 4K films, making complex astronomical concepts accessible and engaging for young minds.
Tiago José da Silva, CEO of Urânia Fulldome, said: “The Christie 4K860-iS projectors have been an essential component of our mobile planetariums. These projectors are not only powerful, compact, and flexible but also resilient enough to withstand the demanding conditions of being set up and packed up daily, and the rigours of the road. Their reliability and ease of use are crucial for the success of our project.”
The projectors were sourced through Christie’s local distributor, SolutionShop. Tiago José da Silva added: “Finding projectors of this calibre in Brazil is not always easy, but Christie, through SolutionShop, provided us with simple access and excellent conditions, enabling us to bring this unique educational experience to students nationwide.”
Beyond its school outreach programme, Urânia Fulldome also contributed to the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), held in Rio de Janeiro state in August 2024. The IOAA, an annual competition for high school students from around the world, attracted 250 students from 57 countries this year.
For one of the event’s presentations, the company provided three of its mobile planetariums, each equipped with a Christie Inspire Series projector, to deliver a memorable experience to the participating students.
