Make Your Own Cardboard Planetarium and Projector

[@lizziedoesthings1450]

My dad is a math teacher. He, my little brother and I are planning on building one of these in our basement. I'm really excited, I'm so glad I found this!

[@lizziedoesthings1450]

Just noticed the height won't work in our basement, would we be able to make a proportion of the height to our preferred height to convert all the measurements?

[@BealsScience]

Definitely! You can leave the skirting off and it won’t be as tall or you can just scale the whole size down to your liking!

[@lizziedoesthings1450]

Cool! I think we'll scale it down and keep the skirting so the entrance still works well 👍

[@t3ach3rp3ach3r]

Incredible sir. I've been researching building a planetarium for my kids here in Taiwan and we found some designs but this is the most comprehensive. I've now got a much cheaper option than spending 20k on an inflatable dome and units.
Thank you so much for making this available. Also, this video was really well done. Great work putting it together.

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!
Good luck with your build! Believe me, it is worth the effort!

[@t3ach3rp3ach3r]

I will definitely try to take a video of building it and post a reply for you! Thanks a lot!

[@t3ach3rp3ach3r]

I'm just curious, how can I obtain copies of those universe and planetary videos? Is there somewhere I can ask? Thanks again!

[@BealsScience]

+T3ach3r P3ach3r I've got some info about the videos and apps at www.bealsscience.com/single-post/5702c5960cf2ecf50ee3ed53 - the link on my site should take you there but it looks like they have changed their site layout a bit. If you don't find what you are looking for, shoot me another message and I will do some checking.

[@adelprimo]

Eu sou do Brasil e há tempos queria fazer um planetário para as crianças pobres mas o preço é muito caro! Vou fazer esse projeto aqui. Muito obrigada!

[@dedadoe]

I'm building this right now for my final exams in photography. I'm gonna show a timelapse of the milky way and some setting suns in de dome. Thank you so much for sharing all of this. I wouldn't have been able to do this without all your help!

[@BealsScience]

I am thrilled to hear you are building a dome! I am glad I could offer some help. Good luck! Let me know how it turns out!

[@dedadoe]

I just put it up today! I live in the Netherlands so sadly there was no way I could order box rivets for a cheap price. I made my own supporting system with tie raps and little steel rings. It holds up pretty great but not as well as yours does, so I tied the center points to the ceiling with some rope. It's all well in shape now and the guests and teachers were really impressed! So again, thanks alot!

[@paca_bill4863]

These are the types of science classes, and most importantly, the teachers, that inspire the next generation to become something greater than they could imagine possible. I had two science teachers in Jr. High School to thank back all those years ago, for getting me onto the science trek that continues today. These men will probably never know how much that means to me.

[@BealsScience]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I can only hope to have the same impact on my students that your Jr. High science teachers had on you!!
Take care,
Craig

[@prudenceravenwood8846]

This teacher is a beast! Thanks so much; putting ours together for my grandchildren.

[@BealsScience]

You are way too kind! You built one for your grandkids? You are the coolest grandparents in the world! I hope your grandkids love the planetarium!

[@jameshicks7125]

I took A LOT of inspiration from this and used cardboard for my 4 meter planetarium. I started with a round wooden deck and a riser wall designed to accommodate a Sonostar 3V 5/9 geodesic dome kit with 2" PVC pipe. This provides a smooth dome vs conduit. I laid up EC32 Carboard sheets and cut panels to cover the outside, and made interior boxes with cardboard that fit snugly between the struts. These are filled with insulation. The outside is covered with 2 layers of polyester roofing cloth and about 50 gallons of elastomeric. I am in SW Oregon we get wet cold winters and snow and it has held up without a leak for three years so far. The inner projection dome is also carboard. This one is 6V 1/2. I made a simple bending jig like a box and pan brake. The only problem is condensation. I have 80mm fans constantly pulling air between the two dome layers and a dehumidifier arrangement. to keep everything dry. Condensation is a notorious problem in sealed domes. If you are on Facebook my group is "planetarium builders and enthusiasts".

[@BealsScience]

It sounds amazing!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@athannotoudas1032]

Teacher of the year award goes to you with no competition at all!!! One question... How can you build an image to project?

[@BealsScience]

Thank you for the kind words!
You can project any image on the interior as long as you don’t want it to be “full surround” but you can find programs that will warp images and video for “full dome projection”.

[@athannotoudas1032]

@@BealsScience yeah I was talking about surround images... Thank you very much!!!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

THAT IS SO COOL! I could set-up one of those on my GARAGE, or even in my LIVING ROOM!

[@BealsScience]

+RocKiteman _ 2001 absolutely!!!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Beals Science → Besides being a low-cost planaterium, I *LOVE* geodesic & space-frame structures. Tetrahedron kites are one of my favorite types of kites as well....

[@BealsScience]

RocKiteman _ 2001 there have been a lot of gamers interested in scaling down this dime and making a smaller version! I'm looking forward to seinge what they come up with.

[@redstonecommander5190]

I’m pretty sure your custom DIY planetarium can also be used with children’s outer space projectors you know stuff like the stars theater two So the real time, current projection layout of the star map was questions coming from the audience to a digital projection that you made to witness the birth of stars and drop the audience into a black hole

[@BealsScience]

Good idea!

[@Daniel-pd2zn]

I’m on my way to making my own, scaled down to 6 feet in diameter. Lots of work, and lots of fun! I opted for duct tape and a lot of patience rather than the box rivets

[@BealsScience]

Good luck!!

[@Daniel-pd2zn]

I needed to get the box rivets haha but thank you again for the video! I was surprised they cost $28 for a box of them

[@tryingtolivecheaply3583]

Wow! Great mold to make fiberglass dome panels!

[@sciencepowerpoints]

Can you please show some footage when you play a movie inside the planetarium with sound.....want to see the atmosphere is like

[@jordanmusleh6305]

Best science class ever..!!

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!!!

[@jordanmusleh6305]

Beals Science you welcome..!!

[@alpharaptorjp3134]

This is combination of mathematical and art I really loved this

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!!

[@alpharaptorjp3134]

@@BealsScience no problem it really is amazing

[@higadohisterico6107]

I've never seen anything so simple but creative. I am currently a student in grade nine and plan to construct a dome similar to yours. Even so, since the purpose of constructing this is for an exhibit, we have a limited amount of space. As such, we would most likely have to alter the measurements so it may properly fit in the space provided. It would be greatly appreciated if you could inform me the space the geodesic dome you have created takes up.
Thank you so much for putting this out there.

[@BealsScience]

The final diameter was right around 16ft but you could scale it down any way that works for you. I've got a template and other information on my website that you may find helpful (see below). Good luck! I would love to see how it turns out! Keep me updated.
www.bealsscience.com/single-post/5702c5960cf2ecf50ee3ed53

[@higadohisterico6107]

Thank you so much!

[@sallukhan2659]

Oh wow you all are very hard worker persons make more outstanding things

[@BealsScience]

Thank you! In about 2 weeks I will have a new video with an updated version of this and it will be easier to make, inflatable, and you can use it outside!

[@erichepperle7085]

this is super cool. these kids did amazing work that they can use in the real world. I'm gonna haft a get some of those box rivets.

[@BealsScience]

Thank you! The box rivets really are fantastic! They actually hold up pretty well too - we've had to replace a few over the years but most of them are still working!

[@jamesb.8670]

I wish I had him for my teacher when I was in school

[@christurnblom4825]

Awesome project!
If this thing just keeps on being popular, I have a couple of suggestion to improve it. One cheep and one expensive...
Expensive: Replace the cardboard with corrugated plastic sheets. It's lightweight plastic that's constructed like cardboard.
Cheep: Paint the projector stand, the skirt and everything else that's not part of the "screen", a flat black ...or use black felt or velvet if you happen to come across some for cheep. This will, very noticeably, improve the image quality. Mainly the contrast and/or gamma. I've been playing with projector set ups for years and have found that part top be extremely important for a great image.

[@BealsScience]

These are both fantastic tips! Thank you for sharing! I am working on an inflatable version and fish eye projection setup and will remember your ideas for covering areas that are not part of the visible screen!

[@christurnblom4825]

@@BealsScience
You're welcome.
You probably already understand now, why the black helps but just in case... The light from the screen hits everything, from the things I mentioned to the clothes & skin of those in the room. It then bounces around & makes it's way back to the screen, washing the image out. So anything you can do to minimize all that ambient light helps. There's also "projection screen paint" but it's often $50 a gallon and up & you can just start reading blogs to find a cheep approximation.
This project is so cool. It makes me want to have more kids just so I have an excuse to build one. lol

[@BealsScience]

Thanks again!!

[@amircammok2268]

Mr. Beals, this is simply amazing! Only an educator who possesses extraordinary love and passion could pull this off. And thank you for explaining geodesic domes in simpler terms than any other internet resource. ..My question is, what dimensions did you guys come up with for the pentagon/hexagon triangles in the scale model?

[@BealsScience]

Wow! Thank you for all the kind words! I appreciate it!
I've got a more info on my website which might help: www.bealsscience.com/single-post/2016/04/04/Make-your-own-Cardboard-Geodesic-Dome-Planetarium-and-Projector
But as far as the scale model, I am unable to find the dimensions that we used but measuring a few of the pieces that remain it appears that we used (rough numbers as these were the left-over pieces and the students took home their models): A = ~7.5 cm; B = ~8.5 cm; C = 8.6 cm. The A, B, C designation will make more sense when you look at the webpage.
Let me know if this helps!

[@EricMontross5000]

Very cool project! I love the design process you went through and the finished result is amazing.

[@BealsScience]

Thank you for the kind words!!!

[@lyingonthemoon792]

Thank you!! Was trying to figure out how to keep my light straight and from falling, that stand is a good idea, and those rivets look good too!

[@BealsScience]

+I AM THE REAL thank you! Did you build a dome?!

[@lyingonthemoon792]

I'm hoping to make one for my nephew, I'd love to ask him to help but he has a couple months left before he turns one,
I'm making a much smaller dome out of cardboard, tracing the constellations out onto the cardboard by pricking holes, setting a light inside, and building the whole bit on an electronic rotating stand
just trying to work out some of the problems I can think of, like the wire getting tangled as it rotates and well I think I know how to fasten the bulb now

[@BealsScience]

+I AM THE REAL this sounds incredible! He will be the luckiest 1 year old around! I’d love to see pictures when it is done!

[@lyingonthemoon792]

Beals Science haha I've got a long way to go, but thank you so much! There aren't much resources on this sort of thing, and the video was really helpful.

[@BealsScience]

+I AM THE REAL good luck with the build!

[@eli.9424]

This is so cool and has inspired me to try my own, thanks for the helpful guide and your tips!

[@BealsScience]

Thank you for the kind words! Let me know how your dome turns out!

[@christiangoodhue7999]

This is awesome, I definitely plan on making this. Have you thought about using corrugated plastic sheets instead of cardboard to improve durability?

[@BealsScience]

+Christian goodhue I have definitely considered corrugated plastic but have never tried it! I would love to see somebody use them just to see the difference! Let me know if you give it a try!

[@ArjenJongeling]

Years ago I've experimented with such a mirror but I found out you get two reflections of the projector. The main reflection comes from the reflective material inside the dome mirror but another reflection comes from the plastic. Also, the plastic was far from smooth. So I got a wobbly projection with a ghost image. Useless for simulation and I dumped the idea when I found out that professionally they use first surface mirrors (with the coating on the outside), costing thousands of euro's.

[@BealsScience]

+Arjen Jongeling you are correct, we do get a slight "ghost image" due to the layers on the mirror but it is actually quite faint and almost nobody notices it. Part of this could be that we don't have a perfectly smooth concave surface because of the triangles so people just get used to the imperfections inside the dome. If you find anywhere that is selling cheaper surface mirrored domes let us know. We'd love to compare.
Thanks for watching!

[@HOLLYHOUSE11]

You are a bad ass. I sure wish you had been my science teacher. It is amazing though how expensive cardboard is when you order it.

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!

[@TheRitchieLeeShow]

I would have guessed that the triangles wear equal lateral 😮

[@DenverGamer]

This guy is incredible

[@BealsScience]

You are way too kind!!
Thank you!

[@richardhawkins879]

Very cool. What a awesome teacher. Looks like a fun class

[@BealsScience]

You are way too kind! Thank you!

[@Kai-ju1rz]

ok. this is awesome. I will have to buy one just for interstellar

[@BealsScience]

It makes a great movie theater!

[@cafenhibitionladakh654]

I am very thankful and grateful to see this kind of out of the box solution. I have installed a permanent dome of 30feet diameter restaurant...in high Himalaya ...
So I want my customer to experience some projections inside...please help me out with 30' feet dia..what kind of mirror

[@BealsScience]

A dome high in the Himalayas sounds amazing!
Some of it will depend on the distance you are able to get from the projector to the dome but most likely you can use the same mirror that I used here. But, because you are projecting on a bigger area, your resolution might not be very good. It will all depend on the projector quality.
More here: www.bealsscience.com/planetarium

[@huxmetalworks7371]

Great work absolutely amazing thanks for sharing

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!!

[@claudioluizcarvalho1552]

Congrats, excellent idea

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!

[@philippe28]

I want a schoool like these

[@1alphad0g4]

Outstanding project! Kudo to you and your class.

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!

[@pamelaflores4129]

Where were you when I was dying of boredom in high school?

[@BealsScience]

😆

[@Horison83]

Wow this is inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

[@BealsScience]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@cyriljude3033]

Dear sir/Ma'am,
Greetings and congratulations for the laudable project.
Inspired by your commendable work, I have started building it for my kids at the school where I serve. The meticulous explanation is far more than sufficient.
But, my mind begs to ask you two questions. Does it project 180° video(of the planet and space) on the dome with the help of the hemispherical mirror?
Also, what could be an ideal base diameter for the dome considering the projector to be used has a moderate lumens?
Lastly, I have an upgrade for this project. A good and significant one.
As, this project of yours, I have taken up, is exceedingly bound by time limitations. Your kind response shall be greatly anticipated.
Thanking you.
Warm regards,
Jude

[@BealsScience]

I am glad to hear you are building a dome planetarium!
I don’t know the ideal diameter for a projector with low lumens. Smaller would probably be better.
The mirror and projector make a projection that covers about 80% of the interior of the dome, it is not quite 180 degree video.
I hope that helps!

[@taralehning4371]

Also, if you draped a blackout curtain on the outside of the dome it might help stop any extra light from filtering through. I bet a flight simulator would be cool to watch in that dome.

[@BealsScience]

+Ta Ma good idea!
Flight simulator would be amazing!!

[@observatorio_planetario_mello]

Olá, tenho um projetor byntek x30, ao refletir na cúpula espelhada a imagem se perde, fica muito grande parece…
Dúvidas:
Como posso resolver isso?
A imagem projetada precisa ser pequena?
O seu projetor consegue focar a imagem bem perto da cúpula espelhada? ( o meu não foca)
Você teve dificuldades com o foco? 5:21

[@zhaoyuchen5838]

Thank you!
Just wondering, do we need to predistort(pre-wrap) the image?

[@BealsScience]

Zhao Yuchen if you use full dome projections (videos or planetarium specific software) you don't have to prewarp.

[@tylermustardloooser386]

I wish I went to that school :C

[@kareem4869]

how would you scale something like this? say i wanted it to fit 50 or 60 people instead of 30?

[@my2kids02]

Hi Craig, We just completed the augmented sandbox ( soooo awesome) we are now going to delve into the planetarium. I see I can get the white sided cardboard from line.....how many sheets will we need?

[@BealsScience]

I am SO glad to hear that you completed the augmented reality sandbox! We've were just playing with ours a few weeks ago (we make 100 pounds of Oobleck to pour into it and it was AWESOME!). I am confident that you will LOVE the planetarium. It is one of my personal favorite projects because it is so neat to lay inside and experience the 'cosmos' inside something you've created! I've got more information on my website, which you may have already found, but a group that built one recently reported buying 100 sheets of 40x48" which left some pieces for repairs and mistakes: www.bealsscience.com/single-post/2016/04/04/Make-your-own-Cardboard-Geodesic-Dome-Planetarium-and-Projector
Good luck with the build!!

[@dswilley100]

Thank you for this. We are working on building this for a project for special needs children. Do you have written instructions for assembling? Thank you!

[@BealsScience]

+Donna Swilley I applaud you! They will love it!! More info on my website and if you need any other help let me know! Good luck!!
www.bealsscience.com/single-post/5702c5960cf2ecf50ee3ed53

[@thomashowl6488]

Imagine gaming in that. Just lay down and get to it.

[@BealsScience]

We could try it and film ti! Your recommendation - Best game to play in the dome??!

[@mechreports1]

i would say a flight simulator would be amazing with this!

[@BealsScience]

MechReports agreed!!!!

[@thomashowl6488]

Beals Science I never even saw this comment! Yeah, that'd be awesome!
I'd say an FPS. Maybe CoD or Overwatch. Something popular that will gain attention and not be overly complicated to play.

[@thomashowl6488]

Also yes, a flight sim would be awesome!

[@klaudijaever6377]

Hi! Love your work. We are planning to do this and we've already cut the cardboard sheets but unfortunately our measures came as 39,37" for each side of an equilateral triangle for the hexagons instead of 40 1/4" and 39 3/4". Do you think it could still work? Otherwise we would overcome the problem somehow

[@BealsScience]

Thank you for the kind words!
I guess I don't know if it will work or not with those measurements but I would encourage you to try it out and piece them together. I can tell you that there will be some "wiggle room" in every one of these that is built because the measurements and cutting will have some variation. But, this generally isn't an issue because the pieces fit slightly loose when put together. So, my advice would be to build it with what you've got and see how it turns out!
Good luck!

[@kuroproject217]

Wtf brooooo
It's amazing

[@BealsScience]

Thanks!

[@spacescience9890]

the dimension of available mirror is of 24 inch in width,accordingly what changes should be made on the dimensions of dome ??

[@BealsScience]

Ideally you would expand the dimensions of the dome slightly to accommodate but to be perfectly honest, I am guessing the difference in picture quality will be almost unnoticeable. There are so many variables at play (projector focal length, pixels, video quality, etc) that you should get a good picture just by adjusting the distance from mirror to projector and the height of the projector relative to the mirror. So, if you only have a 24 inch mirror available, go with it!
You can find 18 inch mirrors here if you would prefer that size: amzn.to/2iX8BVq

[@jakespur6094]

Absolutely cool

[@BealsScience]

Thanks!

[@jasonasunan4150]

Hi, how many days this planetarium was made? Thank you! Starting doing it tomorrow

[@BealsScience]

When we built it there were no instructions so we had to do a lot of trial and error. It took us a month (working on it whenever we had time to spare). If you are doing it with groups of kids It would take a few days to cut all the pieces.
Good luck with the build!
Let me know how it turns out.

[@YuvrajSingh-jq5rp]

Link of your website for purchasing stuff is not working please provide new link

[@BealsScience]

Thank you for letting me know!
I've updated the links on the RUclips video description. This is the correct link: www.bealsscience.com/post/2016/04/04/make-your-own-cardboard-geodesic-dome-planetarium-and-projector
Let me know if you run into any more issues.

[@mrbulp]

Thank you for this video.. i wonder what the degree angle of the 2inch tab? just got an idea making the dome from clear pvc plate or acrylics sheet.. the 2inch tab need to be bend at certain angle to make it easy to screw in.

[@BealsScience]

mrbulp I am unsure of the angle of the tab. The dome isn't set up right now but will be sometime this spring. I will try to get angle for the tabs at that time. I really like the idea of using something more rigid like PVC because it could be taken outdoors!

[@mrbulp]

Beals Science pvc / acrylics sheet can be bend by using hot wire.. its gonna be so cool seeing "frameless" or crystal clear / look like a glass geodesic dome.. :)

[@BealsScience]

it would be amazing to see a frameless one. I can only imagine one made of acrylic that is partially transparent and having the projector inside. You could be sitting under the stars, watching videos about the stars - maybe some augmented reality software for this too?!

[@ginfante8756]

I want to build this at home to get my nieces and nephews to get interested in science

[@BealsScience]

It is a super fun project to do with kids. And you can scale it down or make it bigger depending on how much cardboard you want to buy.

[@maryteel4578]

In your construction instructions double walled corrugated cardboard is mentioned... I could only find single walled white/brown. Did you attempt with single walled and have to change because of flimsiness?

[@BealsScience]

I bought a pallet of cardboard and that was what was available. I am sure single wall will work just fine asl long as it is thick enough.

[@fuckshit5384]

Is it a full dome projection? Or only half? Thank you!

[@BealsScience]

This protector system uses “full dome” format videos and star projection but the image covers about 2/3 of the dome. If you use a full dome projector you can cover the entire surface.

[@grahamjudy]

Awesome!!

[@BealsScience]

Thanks!!

[@fastestabdullahxxx]

I tried building a 5v 6-meter diameter dome using foam boards for my school Science Exhibition. But it didn't support itself and the joints where the triangles meet kept bending inwards rather than outwards due to the weight of it. I used small nuts and bolts with washers instead of the box rivets. The foam board tabs were attached to the foam board triangles with a strong tape, but that proved fatal.
Now, I plan to start off again but this time using 0.3mm plastic sheets (uniboard). I will use door hinges fastened with nuts and bolts to connect the triangles. There will be no tabs. I estimated the weight to be 130 kg. Do you think it will work?

[@BealsScience]

Abdullah Mohd. Khan I am so impressed that you are building a geodesic dome but even more impressive is the fact that the first one didn't work out and you are revising and adapting from what you learned the first go around! I applaud you!
Honestly I don't know if the uniboard will hold or not. It is a clever solution but I would be nervous about it flexing. Corrugated cardboard, while lightweight, is very rigid in the vertical axis so it tends to work well. Also the metal nuts and bolts will add weight (the real killer of these domes) but they still might work.
If you are going to try the nuts/bolts, door hinges and plastic sheets, I would try making your own connectors. Cut plastic sheets into strips long enough to connect two triangle sides together. Score it down the center so it will bend like a Hingis and attach it to both triangles (similar to what we did with the "spacer" on our "skirting) for this project.
We failed at the three times before we got our final working version so I encourage you to keep on experimenting and trying. Let us know how it turns out!!!

[@fastestabdullahxxx]

Thank you very much! We actually failed twice. The third time we made it with PVC pipe in the form of longitudinal arcs held together by latitudinal circles. It worked, but the mirror I could find in my city wasn't able to focus sharply. It wasn't the best result, but for a planetarium made in under a day, I think it was excellent. I actually am volunteering at my former school. I started a STEM program to get kids excited about Science. A Planetarium would be an excellent addition to my program.
Well, I will experiment and let you know. I would like to contact you. Please message me at [e-mail]
Thank you once again!

[@BealsScience]

Great news to hear you are volunteering at your former school and that you are starting a STEM Program! I started a group called STEM Society at our school. It is student run and we meet twice a month (we have over 80 members) and we do a lot of outreach and volunteering events. One of the best things we do are STEM Magic Shows at local elementary schools - the high school students perform all of the science and WOW the little kids. It has become a huge annual event! In fact, the whole reason I started this RUclips channel was to encourage other people and teachers to share the joy of science. So, once again, I applaud you!
Some of the other activities we do at our STEM Society meetings and science magic we show to kids are on my website - and, if you have any other questions you can always contact me through the website as well.
www.BealsScience.com
GOOD LUCK!!!

[@alelorus6379]

Hi! Sorry to bother you again. I would like to know if you have used the bigger size of rivets (1/2") or the smaller (3/8"). We have 0.394" thick cardboard so two pieces of cardboard together would be 0.788". Thank you very much and happy holidays!

[@BealsScience]

I used the double walled rivets (which would be the 1/2") rivets if I remember correctly.

[@alelorus6379]

Oh thank you very much! And is there a paper sheet between the two sheets of carboard in the video when you're connecting the two rivets?

[@surajshrestha7566]

Hello,Thank you for the detailed video.Where can we get the mirror you have used?

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!
I got the mirror from Amazon and the link is on the instructions page on my website linked in the description. But it is probably available from a lot of other online shops too.

[@surajshrestha7566]

@@BealsScience Thank you from Nepal. :)

[@anaghas8221]

It is really amazing..can u pls tell me which material you used inside .

[@BealsScience]

Thanks! There is no material in inside, the cardboard is white on one side.

[@kauix_]

Hello, does the mirror dome necessarily have to be 48 cm width? Would a 30 cm width mirror dome work just as well for a planetarium with a diameter of 4 meters?

[@BealsScience]

It would probably work just fine!
You would just need to move the distance from projector to the mirror until it works and perhaps adjust the focal length.
Let me know how it works out!

[@kauix_]

@@BealsScience Thanks for the clarification! So far, we've only made the structure of the planetarium using bricks and iron bars.

[@BealsScience]

@user-tc2dg4om7u wow!
It sounds like it will be an impressive planetarium!

[@kauix_]

Hello, the 30 cm diameter mirror dome arrived today, but the projection didn't work. If I point the projector at the dome of the planetarium or at a flat mirror, the image appears with good quality on the dome, but when I point it at the mirror dome, I can't see anything but blurs of colored lights in the projection, I've already tried adjusting the focus of the projector and the distance between it and the mirror dome, but the image still doesn't appear clearly, only extremely blurred colors

[@BealsScience]

⁠hmmmm… I don’t know what would cause that. Is the surface of the dome mirror clear? Are reflections without the projector clear?

[@saragood8100]

Will single-corrugated cardboard be durable enough, or is going the cheaper route a complete waste of money? We're on a tight budget and the single-corrugated is almost half the price.

[@BealsScience]

I think it will work. There is a big difference in strength and quantity of cardboard and some single is definitely rigid enough. If you can feel the cardboard a head of time, just feel it to see how strong it might be.

[@BenHall289]

Hi thank you so much for sharing your plans and documenting this project so well. I am planning a similar build for an audio-visual art installation. I notice in your write up that you used a standard convex mirror rather than an expensive first surface reflection model was there any noticeable distortion or doubling up of the image caused by the protective coating?

[@BealsScience]

There is some doubling with the 'regular' mirror. While it is noticeable if you look for it, it is hardly noticeable when viewing an actual planetarium show. It is most noticeable when looking at star fields (I use Stellarium) because of the pinpoints of light. The doubling isn't as prominent to the eye during the videos.

[@BenHall289]

Thank you that's very helpful.

[@BealsScience]

No problem! Good luck with the build. Let me know how it turns out!

[@marythompson4648]

@@BealsScience I was actually wondering how to look at stars using this projection method. Do you get nice star fields, or are they too distorted to translate to the real world?

[@abdalkaderalajloni2560]

very nice, well done.

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!

[@fardinislam5314]

Will the projection Light ( Reflecting from Convex Mirror to White Screen )Cover the whole Dome? I mean, What will be the Angle?

[@BealsScience]

It does not cover the entire dome. The best way to describe it is that I can sit next to the convex mirror on a chair and the 'top' edge of the projection is just above my head while the 'bottom' edge touches the vertical skirting of the dome. It is actually quite nice in this "full dome" format because people can sit along the side with the projector and still see the whole show. You would need a fisheye projector in the center to get complete coverage. Are you building one?

[@fardinislam5314]

Trying ! but what if I buy a fisheye lens & somehow attach it to the projector lens, will it work for covering the whole Dome? cause Fisheye Projector is quite Expensive!

[@BealsScience]

Yes, a fisheye lens for a projector would fill the whole dome! You would just need to make sure you use fisheye media! There appears to be a fair amount of fisheye video available now. Let me know how it turns out!

[@alelorus6379]

Hello! Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Could you please tell me if the structure is very heavy? I looked for cardboard (here in Italy) and I found 5/32" thick cardboard and for 100 pieces they seem to weight 150 kg. Do you think this is normal? Thank you so much

[@BealsScience]

I've never weighed our pieces but there is no way that all of the pieces together weighs 150 kg. I would say that the whole thing probably comes in below 50 kg! But, one thing to remember, is that you will be cutting a lot off each sheet as you cut them to size, this will lose some weight.
What are the dimensions of the sheets.

[@alelorus6379]

Thank you very much for your quick reply. The dimensions would be 40×50 inches. At first I wanted to choose micro flute (0.06 inches of thickness) cardboard but I thought that maybe it was too light for the structure and too thin for the rivets. So I started thinking about corrugated cardboard (0.16 inches of thickness) but it is written that 100 sheets weigh 150 kg. Unfortunately there is not such a big choice both on the web and on the local supply market...

[@BealsScience]

I would stick with the good corrugated cardboard so the panels will be rigid enough to hold the structure.

[@saron2416]

Is it possible to put another beamer on the other side for a full 360 effect? Also, how much did the whole project cost all together?

[@BealsScience]

Saron van Rossum the entire project cost about $400 but would have been even cheaper if we didn't have to purchase extra cardboard (we had to make it up as we went and we messed up a lot of cardboard in the learning process). We already had a projector and computer so that saved us money too.
You could pilot to projectors inside but the logistics of trying to match the picture and angles would be a nightmare! The simple method shown uses about 85%of the dome and with all people facing the same way they can't see behind them anyway.
-Are you thinking of building one?

[@saron2416]

Yes, for a school project. I'm a Communication and multimedia design student from Holland. We want to make an interactive experience for teachers, that shows them the flaws in the current school system. So the users will sit in the dome behind a school desk and will be able to influence what they see in the dome in some sort of way. We're trying to achieve a Virtual Reality effect without glasses essentially. So we think a 360 degree surrounding dome would serve that purpose well. But as i see in the video the projecten doesnt reach all the way to the floor, which can ruin the immersion. So we're not exactly sure about the whole dome yet.

[@BealsScience]

I see your concern. We actually elevated the projector so it wouldn't shine all the way to the floor for two reasons:
1. We have people sitting all around in the dome and their bodies would block the image coming from the projector (we would have shadows all over our images).
2. The lower "skirting' is flat - it is not concave like the rest of the dome which means there would be some distortion on the lower part.
I would love to hear if you decide to move forward and see how it works for you - keep me updated!

[@nona3461]

That's amazing! we are making one but what are the 4ft*8ft sheets for? you used 40*48 inches sheets for building, didn't you? Thank you for sharing this brilliant idea!

[@BealsScience]

Hi! Are you referring to the 4x8 sheets of cardboard? If so, I purchased that size because it was cheaper and we could cut multiple pieces (triangles) from each piece.
Does that help?

[@nona3461]

Beals Science Yes thank you again!

[@BealsScience]

You may have already found my site with more information but in case you did not here is a link: www.bealsscience.com/planetarium

[@nona3461]

Beals Science do you think it is possible to use foam boards? Using tapes instead of the 2 inches tabs and rivets

[@BealsScience]

I don't know if foam boards will work or not. If you decide to try them, let me know how it turns out!

[@mohammadbadran642]

incredible job !
can you play a true 360 degree video or CAD model ?

[@BealsScience]

+Mohammad Badran you could do full 360 if you used a center based fish eye projector or if you had a full dome projection system (2 or 3 projectors pointed opposite of each other and controlled by a central computer).

[@mohammadbadran642]

Thanks :)
Informative answer

[@heatherwylie98]

Can you help step me through how to use a two projector system with two curved mirrors and one laptop for a full dome view of the night sky? please, help! We are setting up next Monday, and running this next Tuesday. The kids are very excited! [e-mail]

[@BealsScience]

Hello!
It si so fantastic to hear that you made a dome! I wish I could help! But, I've never set up a two projector system in our dome (although I am INCREDIBLY JEALOUS).
I can help with other logistics if needed or with a single full dome projector - just let me know.
I would love to see pics or video of how it turns out! I may have to work on a double projector system if it turns out to be as cool as it sounds!
~Keep me updated!

[@johnjohn1997john]

I think this is the most awesome thing ever!!! I volunteer at a children's home and I am wanting to do this for the kids. I have the projector and software all I need is the cardboard. Where did y'all get your cardboard from?

[@BealsScience]

Definitely make one! It has been the coolest project and students love taking the little kids into the dome to show them videos! As far as cardboard: we ordered a pallet of large cardboard sheets from a local paper supplier (I just started calling all of the paper suppliers until I found one that could order large 4ft x 8ft sheets of cardboard). The total cost was about $300 in cardboard but we ordered quite a bit extra in case we made mistakes in measuring/cutting - we had several sheets left over. The other option is to order from Amazon. They have 3ft x 2 ft sheets for a reasonable price (here: amzn.to/2d6Pa9J)
I've got the templates, links to the cardboard rivets and all of the other information you might want at: www.bealsscience.com/single-post/5702c5960cf2ecf50ee3ed53
GOOD LUCK! Let me know how it goes!

[@anupamasahu3873]

Sir the link is not working can you put another link

[@BealsScience]

Which link is not working?

[@impactajuvenile]

Where did you get the box rivets at?

[@BealsScience]

I've got a link on my webpage that will help you find the rivets and other material if you need it: www.bealsscience.com/single-post/2016/04/04/Make-your-own-Cardboard-Geodesic-Dome-Planetarium-and-Projector
Does that help?

[@larajonesmusic]

Hey, thanks for this video. So I'm building a 17ft diameter dome (from wood) and aiming to use this projection technique with the mirror. But I'm just wondering what software you used to project the images? I have been editing my visuals in final cut pro but confused as to whether I need projection mapping software and/or should be filming my visuals with a fish eye lens? Any help is so greatly appreciated. Thanks

[@BealsScience]

While I am not an expert on the image part, I think you have a few options. Still pictures project OK without any altering especially if you don’t make them cover the whole dome. Video, if you want to have it cover the dome, can be shot normal and warped for Full Dome Projection with a program (I think Final Cut Pro has these options or can be purchased as a plug in). But most of the videos we watch are made in fish eye and warped to full dome.

[@larajonesmusic]

@@BealsScience hey, thank you so much for your response here and for this video. Really incredibly helpful.

can i buy the dome?? and how much would you take for the dome??

[@angelvictormadrugaalcalde3622]

por favor puedes enviarme el plano? cual lado ensambla con cual????

[@BealsScience]

You can find the plans here- www.bealsscience.com/post/2016/04/04/make-your-own-cardboard-geodesic-dome-planetarium-and-projector

[@steveharris8242]

THANKS

[@BealsScience]

You are welcome!

[@jstuart888]

Just wondering where to get all the cardboard sheets?

[@BealsScience]

Jason Stuart I called several local paper suppliers until I found one that could order sheets of cardboard. I bought a whole pallet of cardboard because we didn't know how many we were going to ruin in the building phase but you could do it for cheap by buying just enough cardboard.

[@and5rs]

Amazing! WoW!

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!

[@briaalebleu]

this is the coolest

[@BealsScience]

Gathering Bleu thank you!

[@qfksspecial7866]

Cool! I want to be in your class, but I'm too old. Haha.

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!
You can be in my "RUclips Class" - there is no age limit.

[@CarolynBlackArt]

would have been fab if you had fixed a 360 video camera in the top while it was built!!! meta-video!

[@BealsScience]

+Carolyn Black that is a very cool idea! We could surely set up a 360 camera next time we build it and wee how it turns out! Thanks for sharing!

[@CarolynBlackArt]

I love this project...tempted to steal it for an art installation...I'm a Producer/curator/artist

[@BealsScience]

+Carolyn Black steak away! I made the video so that anybody could build a dome and do something great with it! The great thing is that there are two pieces of art here- the done itself, and the media you play within! I would love to see what you come up with if you build it!
Full plans are in my website if you need any help. Good luck!

[@shalvasshlopanci7820]

Just Wow !!!

[@BealsScience]

+shalvas shlopanci thank you!

[@davidelibertone4916]

Love it

[@BealsScience]

Thanks!

[@viditparab2851]

Woah this is so cool !!!!! Just a question ... where did u buy the cardboard from ? Online ? Or local vendors ?

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!
Local paper supplier but I have heard from a lot of people who cannot buy this kind of cardboard locally so I put some links to vendors in my website.

[@viditparab2851]

Thanks a lot for replying . Can i have the link to your website ?

[@BealsScience]

Of course! Bealsscience.com/ARSandbox

[@Ravewayvideos]

TKS for this....

[@BealsScience]

Raveway Pro no problem!
You thinking of building one?

[@artdonovandesign]

How cool is *that*?

[@BealsScience]

Thanks!

[@fardinislam5314]

What's the name (Brand) of the Projector you used?

[@BealsScience]

We have gone through a couple different projectors but the best one (for a reasonable price) has been the Casio DLP Signature Series. I think they have since changed the models but I did a search here: amzn.to/2BwoeKn and found that there are several comparable projectors by Casio but in newer models. One thing I have found is that price does matter when it comes to projectors for this project - the better the resolution as it scales up makes a big difference but that usually means you are looking at a higher price.
Hope that helps!

[@jammypockets606]

Super sad there was no update vid after watching this one. I'm exaggerating, but where the hell is it? ;)

[@BealsScience]

I'd be happy to make an update! What would you like to see?
I am working on an inflatable version of this right now but it will probably be a while before I get it all figured out...

[@chanokim]

Incorrect measurement. Side A = 34.5 inches, Side B = 39 3/4 inches does not make 72 degree isosceles triangle

[@Rise00131]

What are the dimensions of the model?

[@observatorio_planetario_mello]

Boa tarde que projetor você está usando no vídeo?

[@BealsScience]

I am using a Casio DLP projector. You can find a link to some available options on the webpage: www.bealsscience.com/post/2016/04/04/make-your-own-cardboard-geodesic-dome-planetarium-and-projector
But you don’t have to use this projector. Whatever quality you are able to afford will work just fine.

[@gracecynthia2993]

How many boxes were used to make this?

[@BealsScience]

I wasn’t able to use boxes, instead I used sheets of cardboard.

[@BuckyNugget]

This is awesome! I want to make an interactive planetarium for a festival. Can I ask you, you say you did a lot of cutting to make the stand...do you mean you cut the legs of the stand to achieve that particular height? Is there an ideal height relative to the size of the dome, or some factors we should consider? And I guess you don't need a short-throw projector, right? Thanks!

[@BealsScience]

Mike Amato what I meant by a lot of cutting was that I started taking small amounts off each support until I reached an height (and picture quality) I was happy with.
We don't use a short throw projector but you sure could use one.
I'd love to see pictures if you decide to build one!!

[@BuckyNugget]

thank you! Hopefully this summer I'll have a fun video to upload.

[@taralehning4371]

I'm gonna make one and watch movies in it

[@BealsScience]

Ta Ma do it! It would be great for gaming too!

[@legocyclops]

awesome!

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!

[@spiderlurker]

What software did you use? It looks fantastic.

[@BealsScience]

We used Stellarium for stars (it's free) and several Discovery Dome videos. If you want more info on those and link I put more info here: www.bealsscience.com/single-post/5702c5960cf2ecf50ee3ed53

[@ralphrivas5583]

what kind of video did you project?

[@BealsScience]

We show videos from ePlanetarium. As long as you are only showing them to students, you can stream them for the audience. If the audience is paying then you cannot legally show them without first contacting the company.
www.eplanetarium.com/shows.php
Click on widescreen and they will work with the projector system we made (in the RUclips video)

[@ralphrivas5583]

great.. thanks

[@janetlewi6194]

This is so cool😝😛😛😛😛😛😛😛😛😛😘

[@BealsScience]

Janet Lewi thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@alexanderkappelhoff2819]

Hey what is the diameter of this dome?

[@BealsScience]

+Alexander Kappelhoff roughly 16 feet in diameter and about 10 ft tall.

[@alexanderkappelhoff2819]

Thanks, I will be building my own this weekend. All trianges have been cut and folded! This is such a usefull video, thank you so much!

[@BealsScience]

Alexander Kappelhoff I would love to see how it turns out! If you are willing to share my email is: [e-mail] or Facebook at CraigBealsScience
Good luck!!

[@alexanderkappelhoff2819]

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