This classic Spitz 512 star projector passed the finish line in a Chicago planetarium yesterday after 40 years of service, being replaced with a digital media system. Control panels, circuit cards and cables were saved to support other 512's in Phoenix and the metal star trek console hulk will be recycled. The projector itself is being kept by the planetarium, for future display, which I applaud!
Last edited by SpitzSTP; 12-17-2017 at 10:47.
Those are just 5mw 650nm laser diodes, Spitz. It was originally just a black ball with these lasers in them (which replaced something similar that I had built based on a programmable STAMP module). I try to make most of my devices do double or triple duty so that the room is less cluttered. The 5mw lasers in it should be replaced with something a bit higher power in order to compete with the other lighting and lasers, but as they crowd scan, I'd have to adjust the colimation so that they were safe by the time they reached anyone's eyes.
I don't have a great video of it running, but this video at 2 minutes shows it in action:
P.S. I'm loving they planetarium projectors you are posting pictures of. If I only had the space . . .
"Help, help, I'm being repressed!"
These videos are one of the coolest things I have ever seen! I watched that one, then another, and another. What an incredible inspiration! I especially like the Apollo Saturn rocket launch, Lunar Lander spacecraft projected in mid space on the floating screen, and floating space men in the Depeche Mode show, I am simultaneously speechles and hopelessly stuck in the 80's with this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQLqXntfHUI
Last edited by SpitzSTP; 11-21-2017 at 18:57.
Thanks, Spitz, that's really kind of you to say! I love the 80s as well. I try to update several of my ~50 light/laser shows every few years and it helps when I chose music that I've loved for 30 years as I'll probably still like it over the next X years. That one you linked has been improved since, but I haven't gotten around to re-recording the video.
-David
"Help, help, I'm being repressed!"
*** video removed Brief cameo appearance by Karl at 2:22
Last edited by SpitzSTP; 12-24-2017 at 03:17.
Spacey man, spacey! Fun stuff! I wish I could do an accurat-ish star field . . without the need to have something large in the middle of the room.
-David
"Help, help, I'm being repressed!"
Just returned from custom fitting a 36 inch mirror ball (made by Yolanda at Omega Nationa) into a velvet-lined road case. In addition to custom orders, Armando's in Hesperia CA has an ocean cargo container full of "Bone Pile" road cases, brand new made for other clients that never fulfilled the purchase. Way in the back was this gem, fire engine red and 10 percent off for the rotator.
Last edited by SpitzSTP; 12-17-2017 at 16:29.