Information on ‘Imiloa's Planetarium

‘Imiloa Planetarium is a 16 meter (52 ft) dome with 120 unidirectional seats. It features RGB cove lighting and a 10,000 watt 5.1 surround sound system. The planetarium houses the world’s first 3D stereoscopic digital full dome planetarium system. The full dome system known as definiti® was created and installed by Sky Skan, Inc. of Nashua, New Hampshire in 2008.

Stereoscopic full dome images are created using four cinema-quality Sony SXRD™ 4K digital projectors, four definiti HD lenses, and a cluster of 18 specialized computers running the DigitalSky 2 visualization software. The resolution of the system is 4096x4096 or roughly 4 times that of HDTV. The system has both real time and playback capabilities allowing viewing of full dome programs or flying live through the universe. Audiences wear special, stereoscopic glasses which are specially etched, to provide the full 3D effect.

3D engages our public and school audiences in new and exciting ways. The images literally jump off the screen and into the audiences' lap! 

The Imiloa Planetarium has been of assistance as a research tool for some of the observatories of Maunakea, which are the best astronomical observatories on Earth. Astronomers are able to visualize the astronomical data collected at the summit, and ‘Imiloa has been able to share some of these astronomical images and data with the broader public.

‘Imiloa has produced its first 3D program, Awesome Light: Discoveries from the Telescopes on Maunakea, and is producing two additional Awesome Light shows which share new astronomy findings with audiences. In addition to 3D shows, the Planetarium shows other full dome programs.