Spherical mirror (Mirrordome):
A new approach to hemispherical dome projection

Keywords

planetarium projection, immersive displays, virtual reality, digital projection spherical mirror.

Planetariums and smaller personal domes can provide an immersive environment for science education, virtual reality, and entertainment. Digital projection into domes, called "full dome projection" in the industry, can be a technically challenging and expensive exercise, particularly so for installations with modest budgets. An alternative full dome digital projection system is presented based upon a single projector and a spherical mirror to scatter the light onto the dome surface. The approach offers many advantages over the fisheye lens alternatives, results in a similar quality result, but at a fraction of the cost.

planetarian.pdf