Media
Background
The Ott Planetarium is a planetarium at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, USA. The facility is named for Layton P. Ott and the Ott family. The planetarium is operated by university students and is a place of learning for audiences and staff alike.
Our star theater seats 60 under a 9.1 meter (30 foot) perforated aluminum dome. Images and video are projected onto the dome with a single projector located in the center of the room.
Original Productions
In December 2004 the Ott Planetarium upgraded its main projection system from a 1969 Spitz A4 to a Konica Minolta Mediaglobe fulldome video system. The Mediaglobe upgrade replaced the star projector and over 30 slide and special effects projectors. Shortly after the upgrade, planetarium staff began producing original content in the new digital format.
We strive to produce original fulldome content with a commitment to scientific accuracy and educational effectiveness.
A complete list of our original productions can be found here: Ott Planetarium Productions.
Visiting the Planetarium
Members of the press may contact us to make an appointment.
We offer free star shows to the public nearly every month (see our Public Event Schedule). Groups can reserve the planetarium at an hourly rate. See our Visit Planner for more information.
Photography and Videography in the Planetarium
The dark planetarium environment presents some problems for photographers and videographers.
Photographers should plan on some creative shooting. We've had some success with long exposures to show the dome content, while "painting in" or "flashing in" the subject. (Flash photography is not allowed during shows.)
Videographers should bring a light kit. Images on the dome are too dim for most video camera equipment. We can provide pre-rendered footage for use as b-roll.
News Releases
23 October 2009 - 2010 Workshop Schedule Announced, Open Source Planetarium Show Released
29 June 2009 - Student's Senior Project Aims to Promote Science
02 June 2009 - Science in the Parks Program Announces Summer 2009 Tour
25 March 2009 - Physics Department to Host Open House for All Ages
19 February 2009 - NASA Images to be Unveiled at WSU's Ott Planetarium