Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the AstroDome Planetarium?
How much space is required for the AstroDome Planetarium?
The AstroDome Planetarium is pretty big! It's 6 metres (20 feet) in diameter and 3.61 metres (almost 12 feet) tall. It requires a significant amount of floor space and a high-ceiling. The unobstructed ceiling height needs to be at least 12-feet (3.66 metres) and the floor space should be at least 24-feet (7.32 metres) by 24-feet (7.32 metres). The absolute minimum floor space should be no less than 23-feet (7.01 metres) by 23-feet (7.01 metres). Due to the large amount of space required, the AstroDome is usually set up in a gymnasium, but other rooms are certainly acceptable, as long as they meet the minimum size requirement. Before making a booking, please be sure to measure the room very carefully!
How much space is required for the AstroDome Planetarium?
The AstroDome Planetarium is pretty big! It's 6 metres (20 feet) in diameter and 3.61 metres (almost 12 feet) tall. It requires a significant amount of floor space and a high-ceiling. The unobstructed ceiling height needs to be at least 12-feet (3.66 metres) and the floor space should be at least 24-feet (7.32 metres) by 24-feet (7.32 metres). The absolute minimum floor space should be no less than 23-feet (7.01 metres) by 23-feet (7.01 metres). Due to the large amount of space required, the AstroDome is usually set up in a gymnasium, but other rooms are certainly acceptable, as long as they meet the minimum size requirement. Before making a booking, please be sure to measure the room very carefully!
Does the AstroDome Planetarium have to be set up in the gym?
No, the AstroDome Planetarium does not have to be set up inside a gym, but most of the time (more than 80% of the time) it is set up in the gym because that is the best spot in the school, especially an auxiliary gym. Other commonly used locations for set up include the Band Room, Drama Room, Computer Lab, the Library (Learning Commons) or a large Common Area that can be blocked off for the day. Occasionally, the Stage is used, but many schools find that the Stage is not deep enough to accommodate the AstroDome.
Whatever room you choose, the room must meet the minimum requirements in terms of ceiling height and floor space. It also must have an electrical outlet nearby. The floor can be carpeted, but that is not necessary. It is certainly nice though! The floor does need to be clean and smooth (non-abrasive) and yes, a concrete floor is acceptable, as long as the concrete is nice and smooth. Sometimes concrete has a rough (abrasive) finish, but that would NOT be an acceptable location for the AstroDome. Please keep in mind that the audience normally sits on the floor, and because concrete is so cold and hard, a room with a clean and smooth concrete floor, which is acceptable, should actually be your last choice for a location to set up the AstroDome.
If you are planning to have the AstroDome Planetarium set up somewhere other than the gymnasium, please be sure to measure the available floor space and carefully measure the height of the ceiling. Also, be on the lookout for light fixtures, sprinkler heads, ventilation ducts, emergency exit signs, WiFi equipment, projectors, security cameras, smoke detectors, and any other object that may be suspended from the ceiling. All of these objects could potentially get in the way when the AstroDome is inflated. For safety reasons, and to prevent damage from occurring, the AstroDome Planetarium can not be set up if it is going to touch the ceiling or touch any object that is suspended from the ceiling.
No, the AstroDome Planetarium does not have to be set up inside a gym, but most of the time (more than 80% of the time) it is set up in the gym because that is the best spot in the school, especially an auxiliary gym. Other commonly used locations for set up include the Band Room, Drama Room, Computer Lab, the Library (Learning Commons) or a large Common Area that can be blocked off for the day. Occasionally, the Stage is used, but many schools find that the Stage is not deep enough to accommodate the AstroDome.
Whatever room you choose, the room must meet the minimum requirements in terms of ceiling height and floor space. It also must have an electrical outlet nearby. The floor can be carpeted, but that is not necessary. It is certainly nice though! The floor does need to be clean and smooth (non-abrasive) and yes, a concrete floor is acceptable, as long as the concrete is nice and smooth. Sometimes concrete has a rough (abrasive) finish, but that would NOT be an acceptable location for the AstroDome. Please keep in mind that the audience normally sits on the floor, and because concrete is so cold and hard, a room with a clean and smooth concrete floor, which is acceptable, should actually be your last choice for a location to set up the AstroDome.
If you are planning to have the AstroDome Planetarium set up somewhere other than the gymnasium, please be sure to measure the available floor space and carefully measure the height of the ceiling. Also, be on the lookout for light fixtures, sprinkler heads, ventilation ducts, emergency exit signs, WiFi equipment, projectors, security cameras, smoke detectors, and any other object that may be suspended from the ceiling. All of these objects could potentially get in the way when the AstroDome is inflated. For safety reasons, and to prevent damage from occurring, the AstroDome Planetarium can not be set up if it is going to touch the ceiling or touch any object that is suspended from the ceiling.
Will the AstroDome Planetarium fit inside my classroom?
The AstroDome Planetarium will probably NOT fit inside your classroom because a typical classroom has a ceiling height of 10-feet (3.05 metres) or less. In other words, the AstroDome is almost certainly taller than the ceiling in your classroom. That is, unless you have a very unusual classroom! Sometimes the AstroDome is set up in the Library (Learning Commons) or in a Band Room, Drama Room, Computer Lab, or in a Common Area. One of the best places to set up the AstroDome is in an Auxiliary Gym.
The AstroDome Planetarium will probably NOT fit inside your classroom because a typical classroom has a ceiling height of 10-feet (3.05 metres) or less. In other words, the AstroDome is almost certainly taller than the ceiling in your classroom. That is, unless you have a very unusual classroom! Sometimes the AstroDome is set up in the Library (Learning Commons) or in a Band Room, Drama Room, Computer Lab, or in a Common Area. One of the best places to set up the AstroDome is in an Auxiliary Gym.
Can the AstroDome Planetarium be set up outside?
No, the AstroDome Planetarium is not designed to be set up outside due to the potential danger - to both the audience and the equipment - that could arise from a sudden gust of wind or unexpected inclement weather.
No, the AstroDome Planetarium is not designed to be set up outside due to the potential danger - to both the audience and the equipment - that could arise from a sudden gust of wind or unexpected inclement weather.
How long does it take to set up the AstroDome Planetarium?
It takes approximately 45 minutes to set up the AstroDome Planetarium. It will take even longer if unexpected delays occur. Here are some examples of the unexpected delays that occur every once in awhile...
It takes approximately 45 minutes to set up the AstroDome Planetarium. It will take even longer if unexpected delays occur. Here are some examples of the unexpected delays that occur every once in awhile...
- The set up location has not been cleared of tables and chairs / music stands and musical instruments.
- The floor is particularly dirty and needs to be cleaned prior to the set up of the AstroDome.
- The AstroDome equipment has to be transported on one of those tiny school elevators. The elevator is so small, two trips need to be completed to move all the equipment. This problem is made worse when nobody seems to know where the elevator key is located.
- The school is old and the hallways have a few stairs, here and there, but no ramps. When this problem is encountered, the AstroDome equipment has to be offloaded from the trolley, taken up or down the stairs, and then reloaded onto the trolley so that it can continue moving through the hallway.
- The school is old and every entrance into the school has stairs. Once again, the AstroDome equipment has to be offloaded from the trolley, taken up the stairs, and then reloaded onto the trolley.
- The AstroDome is going to be set up in the gym, but upon arrival, the gym is already occupied by student athletes who are having a practice and the coach seems reluctant or unwilling to end the practice early.
- The school does not have any visitor parking or has very little visitor parking and none is available upon arrival. When this problem is encountered, the AstroDome equipment can usually be unloaded from the vehicle, in front of the school, but then the vehicle has to be parked a block or two away, which results in an unexpected delay that could throw off the entire morning schedule.
We have basketball practice in the gym after school. How long does it take to pack up the planetarium?
It takes approximately 40 minutes to pack up the AstroDome Planetarium. You are welcome to use any portion of the gym that is not occupied by the AstroDome, while the AstroDome is being packed up.
It takes approximately 40 minutes to pack up the AstroDome Planetarium. You are welcome to use any portion of the gym that is not occupied by the AstroDome, while the AstroDome is being packed up.
How many programs can be done in a day?
The number of programs that can be conducted inside the AstroDome Planetarium each day is dependent on the length of the program and the length of the school day. The maximum number of program minutes per day is 360, although most schools can only fit 330 minutes (or less) into their day. This means you can fit between 3 and 10 programs into a school day, depending on the length of the programs.
Here are some typical maximums for a school day...
The number of programs that can be conducted inside the AstroDome Planetarium each day is dependent on the length of the program and the length of the school day. The maximum number of program minutes per day is 360, although most schools can only fit 330 minutes (or less) into their day. This means you can fit between 3 and 10 programs into a school day, depending on the length of the programs.
Here are some typical maximums for a school day...
- 10 x 30-minute programs (300 minutes)
- 8 x 40-minute programs (320 minutes)
- 7 x 45-minute programs (315 minutes)
- 5 x 60-minute programs (300 minutes)
- 4 x 75-minute programs (300 minutes)
- 3 x 90-minute programs (270 minutes)
The AstroDome program is 60 minutes, but we have 50-minute periods at our school. What can we do?
Most AstroDome programs can be adjusted quite easily by ±5 minutes. In some cases, the programs can be shortened by up to 10 minutes to better accommodate your bell schedule.
Most AstroDome programs can be adjusted quite easily by ±5 minutes. In some cases, the programs can be shortened by up to 10 minutes to better accommodate your bell schedule.
Is the AstroDome Planetarium suitable for young children?
The AstroDome Planetarium offers a full-dome show entitled One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure and this show is intended for children 4 to 6 years of age. The AstroDome is not recommended for anyone younger than 3 years of age.
The AstroDome Planetarium offers a full-dome show entitled One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure and this show is intended for children 4 to 6 years of age. The AstroDome is not recommended for anyone younger than 3 years of age.
Are the AstroDome Planetarium programs and full-dome shows just for school groups?
Although school bookings are the most common, they are by no means the only bookings that are made. The AstroDome Planetarium programs and full-dome shows are available to any organized group, such as Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and 4H. The AstroDome is available for community events, corporate events, festivals, galas, conferences, conventions, and summer camps.
Although school bookings are the most common, they are by no means the only bookings that are made. The AstroDome Planetarium programs and full-dome shows are available to any organized group, such as Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and 4H. The AstroDome is available for community events, corporate events, festivals, galas, conferences, conventions, and summer camps.