Several mobile observatories travel with space shows throughout the United Arab Emirates.
Three mobile planetariums will travel through the UAE, telling the inhabitants of the country about the planets and constellations of the Milky Way.
Inflatable dome planetariums are the brainchild of amateur astronomer Nazar Hezem.
"I am passionate about astronomy and spent about 400 thousand dirhams US $ 109 thousand on mobile planetariums. The deflated domes are collapsed and held inside my six-wheeled mobile observatory, which I use to travel around the UAE and tell students and adults about celestial objects," Hezem said , a computer engineer whose main place of work is the Abu Dhabi police.
Three mobile planetariums have different diameters - seven, six and five meters. The seven-meter planetarium weighing 45 kilograms can accommodate 70 adults and 85 children. The six-meter planetarium weighing 55 kilograms can accommodate 40 adults and 60 children, and the smallest - weighing 35 kilograms - can accommodate 30 adults and 45 children.
Under the dome, viewers can observe the projection of the night sky.
“Inflatable planetariums have many unique features. The hemispherical shape of the domes is good for observing the night sky and watching space shows. I bought a special lens to project 360-degree images and video onto the dome. Thanks to the high-tech computer and special software, the dome displays high-quality images, "he said.
Hezem said that it takes 6-12 minutes to unfold the domes, and it takes a minute to blow them off.
He said that space shows cover a number of topics, including the moon and its phases, stars, planets and constellations in the Milky Way.
Domes are usually installed in schools and public places. Ticket prices range from 10 to 25 dirhams ($ US 2.72 - 6.8). The duration of the show is from half an hour to almost an hour.
Hezem said that since the launch of mobile planetariums in January last year, he has visited more than 35 schools and organized at least 100 events.
