NSC Creative Equips Jodrell Bank’s 21m Dome with Front Pictures Fulldome System
Photo credit: NSC Creative
The First Light Pavilion is a state-of-the-art addition to Jodrell Bank – the world’s oldest active radio astronomy observatory, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 for its groundbreaking contributions to space exploration.
The pavilion itself is housed beneath a grass-covered mound that blends seamlessly into the surrounding countryside. Inside, visitors can experience interactive multimedia exhibits showcasing Jodrell Bank’s rich scientific heritage and the iconic Lovell Telescope, one of the largest steerable radio telescopes in the world.
The centerpiece of the venue is the Space Dome, a 150-seat planetarium featuring a floor-to-ceiling, 21-meter curved projection surface. To deliver high-impact digital experiences, NSC Creative deployed a fulldome system based on the Screenberry media server and SpaceTime360 astronomy visualization software.
The server runs and automatically calibrates 9x Optoma ZU1050 10,000-lumen WUXGA DLP laser projectors, delivering 4K playback at 60 fps with 5.1 surround sound. SpaceTime allows presenters to run real-time, interactive astronomy simulations.
The system’s flexibility is further enhanced by live capture and streaming capabilities from multiple sources, enabling a wide range of live events – from guest lectures beamed in from anywhere in the world to artistic 360° performances.
Photo credit: NSC Creative
