Newtonian Projection Systems

A Newtonian mirror system is a low-cost, easily portable projection alternative to fisheye systems. It is compact and lightweight - designed for portable systems, and is a perfect solution for small planetariums who want to keep their existing mechanical-optical star projector and offer digital movie content. The Newtonian is easy to travel, safe for the mirrors, and is safe to check on airplanes in its cardboard shipping container. Folded optics make it compact! The case sits on a stand with adjustable legs in the back of the dome... leaving the best seats in the house - the center - available for viewers!

Each package includes a mated laptop, projector, projection software, and sound system. Together the entire projection system package runs for "a penny a pixel". When you compare with other systems, don't just look at the pixels of their projector - compare the pixels actually projected, ease of use, and portability!

For fixed domes, the Newtonian sits on the cove (or on a shelf just below it) at the back lower edge of your dome - allowing you to keep your analog star ball if you want! We have installed mirror systems in domes up to 50 feet in diameter, including the Tamilnadu Science Center in Chennai, India!

 

We sell mirror systems in 3 configurations:

• Newtonian 3

• Rover 360

• For larger domes we recommend the Go-Frame

Newtonian 3

The Newtonian 3 from Avela is an upgrade from the previous Newtonian 1 and 2 (the first ever dual-mirror system).

• Lighter: The new top is vacuform, with clips (not screws) to hold the convex Go-Vex mirror. The base is laser cut metal for strength, powder coated for durability. Net is TWENTY POUNDS LIGHTER and yet stronger!

• Easier to Use: The system is now ONLY ONE UNIT. The secondary tucks away below the projector platform for quick, safe, usage and storage. No screws needed to set up!

• More projectors can be used: The new base is flat, allowing larger and taller projectors to be used. The mirror has a higher clearance, again allowing more projectors to be used.

• The special front-surface mirrors are protected for travel by the integrated case. When opened, the secondary mirror slides out and pops up into place and a high-resolution projector is put on the shelf.

• Available with either the standard Go-Vex mirror or the Ultra-Mirror.

Rover 360

Customers who are always "on the go" appreciate the quick setup of the Rover 360. The 360 ships in its integrated cases, and the projector can be left attached to the frame for transport in a car. The Rover 360 comes with the Ultra-Mirror as standard. The Ultra-Mirror offers a thinner coating to provide a crisper image all the way to the back.

• Easy set up - less than 10 minutes

• Projection system permanently aligned

• Cables remain connected and simple to manage

• Steel frame - stable, non-vibrating platform

• Lifetime guarantee - all non-electronic hardware
  The Rover360 has a life-time warranty on any manufacturing defects. For example, if a weld fails or a threaded insert is dislodged, those defects would be fully covered and a replacement would be sent. Damages due to accidents or mishandling are not covered. Any mirror damage is not covered.

How Does It Work?

The Newtonian system uses a high quality spherical Go-Vex™ convex mirror - front surface aluminized but with a special coating that allows gentle cleaning (coated to not attract dust like most front-silvered mirrors do). This mirror reflects the image from a projector onto a dome. A secondary mirror allows the projector to sit below the main mirror, minimizing the "footprint" in the dome. Specially pre-warped shows play smoothly at high resolution for PC or Mac systems.

Any fisheye content can be shown without prewarping with Fishtank, the world's first multipurpose software designed for mirror domes that allows you to play fisheye content, prewarped content, fulldome games and 360VR movies. Find out more on our Fishtank page.

For Mac systems, we also recommend a special "warpplayer" software from Paul Bourke. And for Windows machines, we recommend "WarpPlayer 3D" if you want to show unwarped content or 3D movies.

Advantages

Cost	As any astronomer can tell you, a perfect mirror is much less costly than a perfect lens. By using mirrors, we keep the costs down.
Flexibility	The Newtonian system design can accommodate a much wider range of projectors than competing "in one box" systems. As projector or computer technology improves, it's easy to upgrade! High brightness projectors available for fixed domes up to 50 feet. And you can get local service on your projector.
Area	Our system gives more than 90% dome coverage at a fraction of the price! Since the Newtonian system is positioned on the dome’s perimeter (in the back), the best seats in the house are now available: the center of your dome! This also maximizes seating capacity - up to 30% more seating in a given size portable dome! No "center" piece to setup, you'll have less visual interference and get a better immersive experience.
Star Software	The system includes the powerful and flexible "Stellarium" star program. But you don't have to retire your existing star projector! Since the Newtonian system setup is in the rear and can be projected over the top of a star projector, it is possible for small domes to keep their existing mechanical-optical star projectors and go digital for less! We also offer Digistar Light for higher-end planetariums to get the best in star projection and show development.
Pixel Efficiency	The Newtonian systems are able to project more of your projector's pixels, brighter on your dome than a comparable fisheye projection solution for HD projectors. Over 58% more pixelsthan a 1080 circle, and nearly 30% more pixels even than a 1200 circle fisheye system! We use the unprojected areas along the top and in the corners for onscreen menus that the visitors won't see.
Simple Setup	It is as simple as setting up a presentation projector to a laptop. Our projection system uses a high-end laptop to drive the system. Combined with a single projector, sound system, and lightweight mirror assembly, the system can be set up by a single person in under 20 minutes in any dome. Ideal for portable domes, small fixed domes, public outreach programs, and development works. All the components are modular - upgrade easily and keep a spare handy!
Software Bundle	The system is pre-installed with Stellarium and our easy-to-use "MediaSHOW" software (PC or Mac systems). A half-day of training (included in the package price) is all it takes for you to create your own content, creating slide shows with music, show a non-fulldome movie inset in a fisheye image, etc. Now also all Windows versions come pre-installed with WorldWide Telescope!