Technology has come a long way since OMSI opened the 16-foot silver dome on Hassalo Street in 1950. Back then, state-of-the-art meant creating a star field of 200 stars using a Spitz Model-A projector. Now it means digital full-dome video, surround sound, and thousands of images combined to give you the sensation of a three-dimensional journey across the cosmos. But to really appreciate this jump in technology, you need to look at the changes at OMSI over the past 53 years.

Imagine it is 1967. The space age was in full swing and almost every kid in Portland wanted to be an astronaut when the Kendall Planetarium opened at Washington Park. The distinctive blue and green 32-foot dome seated 160 people, and a new 400-pound GOTO M3 mechanical projector created almost 1,000 stars using 32 giant lenses, two 600 watt bulbs, and a pin hole mask. One of the challenges facing new staff was memorizing the extensive manual control panel and locating buttons in a dark theater. In the 1970s, 150 slide projectors were placed around the dome, allowing a wide range of images and effects to be used with the star fields. Visitors were treated to meteor showers, auroras, comets, and stunning views of the earth from space.

When OMSI moved to Water Avenue in 1992, the GOTO projector was relocated to the new planetarium, a 52-foot dome with seating for 200. The most amazing changes in the planetarium happened in the mid-90s, when the projection and sound systems were automated and educators began using computers to create new effects.

Technology took another leap forward in spring 1999 when OMSI retired the 30 year old GOTO to make room for a new Digistar II projector and SPICE control system. With a star field of almost 10,000 stars - ten times more than the GOTO - and the ability to simulate stars, planets, comets, nebulae, constellations, and other standard planetarium objects with accurate size, location, and relative brightness, Digistar II let audiences travel through three-dimensional space in "real time" and view scenes they would see if they were really flying in space.

Next SkyVision was added to the Harry C. Kendall Planetarium. SkyVision's six powerful high definition projectors combine real images and computer animations to create an immersive "you-are-there" style experience. With SkyVision, audiences feel as though they are zooming through the solar system, past the Milky Way, and to the very edges of the universe.

Most recently, in January 2006, the planetarium has again been upgraded to the latest state-of-the-art multimedia technology. The new Digistar 3 is an all-digital system that combines star projection, full-motion color video, digital surround sound, and the ability to interact with the audience. Anything that can be placed on a computer monitor can be shown in the planetarium, so viewers are able to zoom into any area of the sky, orbit the sun, visit planets, or fly through asteroids. Digistar 3 provides the most authentic view available of the night sky from Earth, along with a complete view of our solar neighborhood and real data representing the state of the universe as we know it today. The system includes a library of real-time 3D astronomy models (planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and deep space objects), as well as a library of full-dome video astronomy sequences, to create a more realistic and exciting planetarium experience.

Just as the technology has changed, so has the potential for new and imaginative programs. Digistar 3 keeps the Harry C. Kendall Planetarium on the cutting-edge of technology, and helps us continue a proud tradition of presenting solid educational content that is also entertaining and guaranteed to inspire the next generation of space explorers.