PHOTOS

Some say that a picture speaks a thousands words. Maybe the number is more like 798, but I too agree photos are a good way to disseminate concepts. I have galleries covering Community Builds, Dome Concepts, Dome Setups, and Dome Construction, plus a gallery of general photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Go to the Community Builds Page

COMMUNITY BUILDS (new!)

ANYONE

Can build a dome, and over the years, MANY of you have. We've had domes from Canada, Ireland, Brazil, as well as across the states. Some people build domes in their basement, others build domes for their school. We've even had someone reach out in the attempt to make a quilted art piece dome.

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!

If you've built a dome through DIY Planetarium, send us an email and we'll post your photos online. One of the best parts about the planetarium community its the spirit of collaboration! Let us know what you've been up to. Your work will help and inspire others!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Go to the Dome Concepts Page

DOME CONCEPTS

WHEN

I first started building planetariums, they were made out of very thin tablecloth plastic and thus tore easily. Since then, I have upgraded to a thicker plastic called Ag-Bag which is black on one side and white on the other. Although it is not perfect either, it is durable, compact, and best of all, prevents light from penetrating the dome even out in full sunlight.

HAVE AN IDEA?

Shoot me an email! If it's something new, I'll design the plans for your dome, credit you, and given your permission, share them with everyone else here on DIY Planetarium's 'domes' page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Go to the dome setups photo page.

DOME SETUPS

THE GOAL

Of any DIY Dome is a quick and easy setup. The other two goals of the DIY mission is to accomplish this on a very low budget while creating a kit that can be fit into a single car.

This all is accomplished while allowing for domes up to 5m or greater in diameter, complete with HD projection, inflation fans, computer, audio, and mirror equipment.

Check out this gallery of dome setups throughout the past five years.You will see a steady evolution of new tricks and concepts. Have a new trick yourself? Again, feel free to contact me if you'd like to share with the community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Go to the dome construction photos page.

DOME CONSTRUCTION

CHECKLIST

  • Plastic
  • Scissors
  • Duct Tape
  • Sharpie
  • Tape Measure

  • Dome Pattern

That's All It Takes

Once you have those basic items, you can tape out a pattern and get to cutting gores. You'll have a dome in no time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Go to the general photos page

GENERAL PHOTOS

A STAR PARTY

Some of the best times in the dome are the least predictable. Once I was doing a summer show for 3rd and 4th graders at Sherman Elementary. You can never predict how an audience will react to a show, and I was showing this audience a show called "Two Small Pieces of Glass." It's about Galileo, Newton, telescopes, and their development throughout history.

To some young kids, this can be a tought sell. Usually though, the kids become immersed in the fulldome show. There are moments, such as a scene where the Milky Way galaxy is slowly rotated, until only its disk is visible, where a moment of wonder is observed.
This is what DIY is all about. Making that possible for everyone.