ST Engineering Antycip, a simulation and VR company, has announced that the £6.5m Sherwood Observatory Planetarium project is entering its final phase, in Nottinghamshire, England. The installation of all the key components, including high-resolution 4.4k Sony projectors is now complete.
The custom-built planetarium, located on top of a restored Victorian reservoir, aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. With a special focus on marginalised communities, it will offer educational opportunities and outreach programmes, encouraging young people to explore careers in STEM fields.
It is ST Engineering’s first project in the planetarium space and the company has been working in collaboration with RSA Cosmos, a Konica Minolta company. Set to soft launch later this month, the planetarium promises visitors an immersive experience, featuring SkyExplorer software from RSA Cosmos, which boasts realistic, and scientifically accurate astronomical and STEAM content in an interactive and fun manner.
Meanwhile, the Sony GTZ380 projectors have been chosen to simulate the dark sky environment and deliver high contrast, according to ST Engineering.
The planetarium will also feature boardrooms that can be used as classrooms for visiting schools and universities, and is expected to become a landmark for STEM education and a major attraction for both local and international visitors.
Dr Steve Wallace, chairman and project manager at Sherwood Observatory, commented: “This project represents a significant opportunity to bridge educational gaps in our region. We are excited to bring this vision to life and look forward to inspiring a new generation through the planetarium.”
He added: “This would not have been possible without the fantastic support of Ashfield District Council, leaders from across our community, central government funding, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and a host of private sector funders and individual donors.”
Amir Khosh, commercial and project manager at ST Engineering Antycip, said: “We are thrilled to see this project coming to fruition. It has been an exciting journey from inception, and we are eager to share this state-of-the-art educational experience with the community.”
While the official launch is scheduled for January 2025, the upcoming soft launch will provide a chance for audiences to experience the new centre from late November, offering a glimpse into the future of immersive STEM education at Sherwood Observatory.
