Cosmonova Planetarium within the Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm, Sweden, is the first combined large-format 3D and full dome theatre. This makes it very flexible when it comes to programming and creating the visitor experience.

The planetarium, which opened in October 2008, is owned by the Swedish Natural History Museum, sits alongside Sweden's only IMAX(R) theatre where films are shown in the world's largest format on a 760sq m (8,200sq ft) Spitz dome-shaped screen. In addition, digital 3-D films are on offer to draw visitors deeper into the adventure and the digital planetarium takes visitors into outer space.

In terms of hardware, the planetarium has six Fidelity(TM) projectiondesign(R) projectors, a Christie(R) CP2000-ZX projector, a Global Immersion Media Server cluster and a Custom Global Immersion control desk and wireless theatre control panel.

The 3D system requires 550 pairs of active stereo 3D glasses and a Custom Global Immersion 3D glasses washing system to keep the kit clean, while films are screened on an IMAX(r) Dome Projector.

The system is driven by immersive theatre specialists Global Immersion's Media Director and Uniview™ software. The sound system is also by Global Immersion. The 262 seats were supplied by Figueras.

Photo: Copyright Tom Callen

(For more information, please see AM4/2009 Planetariums feature)