Imagine a theater where all the sights and sounds are digital... A domed theater where the audience is surrounded with breathtaking high resolution images and is immersed in sound... A theater operated by one computer interface, a wireless remote control, and one powerful software program that runs everything in the theater... This is the Digital Theater... The latest planetarium technology in the world… This is the new phase of the BA Planetarium...

Since its inauguration in October 2002, the BA Planetarium, a beautiful piece of architecture, has been operating with two different systems: a large format IMAX film projection system, and a regular Video Panorama projection system. The current Video Panorama system is a half-dome system where animated images are projected using multi-projectors, three to be exact with a range a little larger than half the screen. The rest of the screen area is covered by fixed pictures shown by slide projectors. The BA Planetarium also uses a Star-ball projector for astronomy live shows. The Star-ball projects about 5200 stars as well as 4 famous star constellations.

However, planetarium technologies are rapidly evolving and the BA Planetarium has fallen far from its rank as the ninth on the world at its inauguration. Consequently; as the host of the upcoming International Planetarium Society conference (IPS 2010), the largest and most significant event in the world of planetariums, where nothing but cutting-edge developments are exposed; the BA has embarked on the endeavor to upgrade its Planetarium to rise up to the expectations of the visitors who will come from all over the world to partake in the IPS 2010.

Thanks to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, the BA’s endeavor has found the financial resources to bring it to reality. Naturally, The Ministry’s keen interest in this huge and expensive project rises from its awareness of the status of the Library of Alexandria as one of the most attractive touristic sites in Egypt.

The Planetarium upgrading project entails the replacement of the present half-dome system with a digital full-dome projection system; this means that the whole screen will be covered with animated imagery. The new system will have a rich set of real-time 3D astronomy features and comprises a wide database for stars, planets, and galaxies to be shown on the screen. The audience will be able to identify these celestial bodies and get a closer look at them; they will get to explore the mysterious universe as never before.

The new system will also enable the BA Planetarium Specialists who have, so far, succeeded in producing the first Egyptian planetarium show, which is also the first to be produced entirely in the Middle East, to build shows from a simple-touch screen interface and watch their creations in the star theatre. The new technology will launch a new era of theatre experiences as we will be able to draw our own images and add them with ease; the entire known universe will be available at the click of a mouse.

The BA Planetarium’s attempt at bringing the industry of planetarium show production to the region is aimed at producing scientific shows that are directly related to our culture. It is yet another step forward on the Planetarium Science Center’s road to bringing the world to the region and showcasing the region’s rich heritage and exporting it to the world.

The Digital Theatre will develop systems and shows that transform the complex simulation technology to a 360-degree domed and large-format theatre experience. This upgrading project will reclaim the BA Planetarium’s stature as a state-of-the-art facility and allow it to continue its pursuit as an educational and entertaining center of attraction. Once again, the BA Planetarium will be able to dazzle its visitors with surreal voyages, this time through a three dimensional universe!