Cognition Science and Discovery Center has a new mobile planetarium for interactive learning experiences for exploring the solar system and beyond.
Submitted photo/Cognition Science and Discovery Center“It is an inflatable dome where we are using a high-end projector and a fisheye lens to cast the imagery into the room,” Miller said. “You see the images we cast all around you and we are using it as a tool first for outer space, but we want to use it for all our education programs.”
Miller said the planetarium could also be used for geography and biology programs.
The dome is set up in Cognition’s virtual reality room.
Aaron Harris, virtual reality and planetarium coordinator, said the projector is in the center and projects using a powerful custom-built computer.
“It transforms the whole room,” Harris said. “It is a whole new world in this planetarium. The material is made from the same material as a projector screen.”
Harris said the programs can be interactive.
“The modern planetarium uses machines that can run interactive software. It’s not your dad’s planetarium,” he said. “It isn’t just running a video. You can move around and explore different things. It is basically a virtual reality planetarium.”
Miller said there would also be pre-recorded shows.
Miller said there are plans for an ongoing program for elementary students called Space Explorers that will feature a different plant or feature of the solar system once per month. There also will be a program for preschool children called Cosmic Cadets. The programs will feature a passport children can have stamped when they attend.
A program for older students will feature a more immersive program called a live star tour, according to Harris.
Miller said there was a soft opening for the planetarium, hosting trial runs of the planned events for from Feb. 5-11.
Miller said the planetarium passport programs will be held one week out of the month, but the planetarium will be available for other programs or traveling to schools or other locations the rest of the month.
The “grand opening” planetarium week for the passport programs will run March 12-18, according to Miller. She also said schools and groups would be able to reserve the planetarium for field trips.
“One big feature is the planetarium is mobile,” Harris said. “We can take it off-site for schools and different places.”
Miller said the planetarium was purchased using an Impact 100 Traverse City grant.
“It took us almost two years to get all the parts assembled,” Harris said. “COVID and shipping issues were a problem.”
Miller said she and Harris went to the Great Lakes Planetarium Association and learned a lot about planetarium systems.
“We learned the first system we were going to purchase was not the best,” she said. “We did more research and development to make sure we got the best system we could with the money.”
Harris said the custom-built system was what allowed programs to feature geography features such as oceans and volcanos, as well as the virtual reality aspects.
Cognition is a nonprofit science and discovery center that features a variety of programs on science, technology, engineering and manufacturing subjects. The center has many interactive exhibits, including live animals.
Cognition is located at 232 N. Michigan Ave. in Beulah.
For more information on Cognition Science and Discovery center or upcoming planetarium programs, visit Cognition’s website.
