Bigger Part 1

I want a bigger dome. Sumner Countys first planetarium was a 9 footer. Its second is a 15 footer. But when you reach for the stars, whether mother natures or your own, bigger just seems to come with the territory. Amateur Astronomy saw the Dobsonian revolution, and 32 inch telescopes are now to be found at some national star parties. A far cry from my Villa Park Il backyard 2.4 department store scopes in the mid 60's. But it happens with planetariums too. The bigger the star ball the better the images, if you are using pinhole projection, like nearly all home planetarium people. Those at least who use traditional projection techniques, not video projectors. But no matter what your projection technique, you are sending those stars to a simulation of infinity. And in a total contradiction, infinity can be sized in a planetarium dome. The biggest thrill of all when building a bigger planetarium is 'first light', when you turn them on for the first time. And now the Hunter towers over you like he never did before. And the great bears have become greater. And Canis Major is more major than ever. And the heavons show even greater glory than they did for the past few years. I want a bigger dome. Building the 9 foot took 2 years to think up a solution. Building the 15 foot took 2 years to actually do it. Is this how the pyramid builders felt? Stay tuned. gare dec 3 2007