The most important in a Portable Planetarium: is the quality of Fabric Domes. Our inflatable domes are constructed from a grey-silvered plastic fabric of exceptional strength and durability. The fabric is also flame retardant for safe operation. In addition, the domes are provided with strong PVC travel case.

"Red Star" Dome has a diameter of 4.8 meters and a height of 3 meters. Also has a weight of 30 kilos, including the PVC travel case.

Our domes are a completely light tight and portable classroom environment with excellent interior reflective surfaces for beautiful projection images. This is true not only for our portable planetarium projector but also for any other kind of projector.

How are our domes designed?

The fabric is manufactured by Plavinil Argentina, exclusively for our Domes. Both domes have 19 welded segments, 1 air entrance pipe and 1 air exhaust pipe. These pipes allow the air to continuously circulate, keeping the interior air fresh and avoiding air depletion or over inflation inside the dome.

The "Red Star" Dome has a 1.70 m high "door" for easy public access. This "door" is opened and closed by a light tight "velcro" type seam and a flap.

How are the domes inflated?

For the inflatation of our Domes and for any similar dome belonging to competiting companies, you can use any turbine.

The dome inflatation tube can be easily attached at the turbines. If you live in countries where you can find or order this turbine or a similar one, you will be able to save a considerable amount of money in shipping costs. This is just one example of a possible alternative unit. No doubt, there are many other options around the world, which may be adaptable.

How safe are our Domes?

Our domes have the following safety features:

1. Anti - Flame & blackout fabric

Our dome's fabric provides a nearly complete "black-out" (99.8% of opacity to the solar light), flame retardant (flame autostinguis to retire the Vc = 13 mm / seg) and with a high durability and ruggedness. The fabric meets international fire safety rules. It is a grey-silver colored fabric, which is highly reflective for image projection.

2. Access to turbine blocked

In the dome intake pipe, which comes from the turbine, we have added a baffle that blocks the path of light from the outside and that of any child on the inside trying to enter this pipe. This is an added feature developed by our Company to insure the safety of all participants, especially children. Of course, the Mir Turbine has excellent wire guards to keep little hands away from the fan.

3. Air circulation Pipes

Our domes have one air entrance pipe from the turbine for inflation and another pipe for exhaust air, allowing a constant circulation of fresh air.

4. For safe and quick exit, the domes have no floors.

If for some reason, the electricity fails in the building in which a presentation is taking place, a quick exit of the dome is easy and safe since there is no floor. Without a floor, the evacuation is practically automatic.

The bottom of the dome can be lifted by the hand of the planetarium presenter. He or she then can easily raise the bottom of the dome up and over the spectators. The dome, supported by its interior air pressure, actually folds by "itself" automatically into a "half moon" shape on the floor. It should be noted that the necessity of this scenario would be a rare occurrence, since the dome actually will stay inflated for several minutes without the fan operating. Usually giving enough time for all but the slowest of audiences to exit. Moreover, the dome it is really a semispherical tent whose entire weight is less than 39 kilograms. The dome is relatively light. The simple expedient of the presenter and other adult(s) raising their hands over their heads inside the dome is usually enough to support it as the dome begins to deflate due to an electrical failure and people begin to exit.

What is the seating capacity in Domes Narod?

A Narod Dome can seat comfortably, on the average, 60 small children (6 to 9 years). Usually the audience is accommodated in concentric circles, starting from the entrance door and around the wall to complete the first circle and in this manner successively around in smaller circles.

Which are the Differences between Domes with or without entrance tunnel?

In domes with tunnels, the tunnel adds a "fantasy element" in the children minds, evoking perhaps the entry into a spaceship airlock or through a "rabbit hole" into another world. There is actually no other "practical" advantage to the tunnel. If what is required is ease of entry, we recommend the Dome Narod, that is without the tunnel. Our Dome is recommended, especially, for work in schools. The lack of an entry tunnel, allows the dome to accommodate practically any presentation setting and type of audience.

Working with Domes

Is strongly recommended in all presentations with viewers in the domes to always have a battery powered "emergency light" in case of a possible electrical failure. As the darkness in the dome nears 100% this emergency light would be a necessity for the evacuation of the audience. Such "emergency light" would be essential to guide the people to the exit or to raise the dome over them. Public is seated on the floor in concentric circles would be evacuated, beginning from the entrance door and then to each successive circle of participants.

Suggestion

Twelve years of experience in the traveling portable planetarium business, indicates to us that the ideal time of exhibition is 35 to 40 minutes. This takes in mind our concept that this is about the maximum attention span for younger participants. For safety reasons it is not recommended to place chairs in a dome because it would impede quick evacuation of the viewers. Chairs also reduce the number of spaces available to sit people.

Care of the Domes

In any dome, there inevitably appears "pinholes" caused by the action of different elements like dust and other particles that rub against the dome surface during assembly and deflation.

To help insure a long life to the domes, they should be occasionally washed with mild soap and water and or synthetic detergent. They must not be rubbed with abrasive chemical or pads or utensils which will cut or mar the dome's surface. Patching material is supplied with each dome should a hole or tear happen.

Folded and Storage

Do not walk on the domes when it is deflated and in the process of being folded. It is a very common mistake that operators want to take the air out of plastic fabric by walking on the dome directly. Under no circumstances should this be done. If an operator has to tread over the dome, then they should do it barefooted. This is the rationale why it is fundamental to inflate and deflate it in a clean location.

It is also very important to avoid inflating the dome directly on the ground, sand, or rough surfaces, such as concrete walkways. If a dome will not be used for awhile, it must be safely stored in a dry environment. In the case of extended storage for a long period of time, it is suggested to sprinkle talc on the dome to protect the plastic fabric.

Folding a Dome

It is easy to fold the dome. Simply raise the bottom with two hands and push it up over your head. The dome will actually deflate itself by using the same air pressure that supports it. This auto deflation will follow its original "half-moon curvature" to the other side of the person who pushed it up and over. It is necessary to fold the dome as if it were a parachute, . Finally store the dome in its PVC travel bag to help insure a long life.