U-46 planetarium to debut new projector

A high-tech digital projector will give visitors to the Elgin Area School District U-46 planetarium a unique view of the universe around them.

This summer, the district acquired a $20,000 full-dome projector that gives viewers an almost 360-degree view of images displayed on the planetarium’s 24-foot diameter dome.

Jennifer McDonnell, coordinator of math and science instructional technology and the planetarium, said the films are similar to ones shown at IMAX theaters.

“Projectors normally project to one spot on the wall,” McDonnell said. “But this one is warped so it is projected around the full dome. If you are looking at a movie that’s underwater, it is like you’re actually underwater.”

The planetarium’s first two shows are slated for 6 and 7:15 p.m. Wednesday at 312 Watch St., Elgin. Admission is $2. Reservations are not required.

The 25-minute show, “Two Small Pieces of Glass,” traces the history of the telescope from Galileo’s tweaking of a spyglass to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

A history of the planetarium will follow, and the evening concludes with a viewing of the night sky. The full-dome show is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Planetarium teacher Peggy Hernandez said the new projector will provide the district another tool to teach students and adults concepts like the seasons and moon phases.

“This will make science interesting,” Hernandez said. “We can show examples and explain content several ways with several animations and different points of view.”

McDonnell said the U-46 planetarium is one of two facilities in the state that have a full-dome projector. The other, of course, is the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

The planetarium will work with students from the Beacon Academy in South Elgin to create films on the solar system and other science-related topics.

For details, visit u-46.org or call Peggy Hernandez at (847) 888-5000, Ext. 5324.

Projector: ‘This will make science interesting’