October 03, 2018
Navitar Donates Optics to Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) For Strasenburgh Planetarium Projection System Upgrade

Rochester-based optics manufacturer supports local planetarium gifting two 4K fisheye projection lenses valued at $100,000.

Navitar, a global leader in optics technology, announced today a donation of two 4K fisheye projection lenses to the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) as part of the new state-of-the-art full-dome digital projection system being installed at the Strasenburgh Planetarium.

RMSC has selected Evans and Sutherland's Digistar 6 as the projection system for the Star Theater upgrade. They will install a dual-projector cove mount system using two Christie Boxer 4K30 projectors and two HemiStar HM4K-178 high lumen lenses donated by Navitar. The HM4K‐178 high brightness lens produces a wide projection angle of 105° X 53° with full 4096 x 2160 resolution. The lenses offer precise resolution, accurate color registration, and consistent quality from center to edge. The projector/lens combination covers the full dome surface, creates seamless display overlap and high-quality images.

Navitar co-CEO, Julian Goldstein comments, “There have been tremendous advancements in projection and digital display technologies that far surpass the planetarium’s current projection system. Navitar has been in the projection optics business for over 40 years working with leading projector manufacturers. As a local Rochester-based company, it just makes sense for Navitar to assist RMSC in the transformation of the Strasenburgh.”

“A company at the forefront of our region's growth in optics and imaging, Navitar is recognized as a worldwide leader in designing, developing, and delivering innovative solutions. We thank them for their generous gift of two custom lenses for our Strasenburgh Planetarium's new full-dome projection system,” said Kate Bennett, CEO, Rochester Museum & Science Center. "Our renovation project will allow for vast expansion of programming, and we are delighted that the lenses at the heart of this project are being manufactured right here in the optics hub of North America. They will be used to ignite a passion for discovery for generations to come. Thank you, Navitar, for your eagerness to make this happen!”

Jeremy Goldstein, Navitar co-CEO, adds, “This upgraded technology will give the Strasenburgh access to new and exciting shared content with other planetariums worldwide.”

Navitar supports the RMSC as both a corporate partner and exhibit sponsor. In celebration of the 2015 International Year of Light, Navitar sponsored the donation of 2500 polarizing slides for the “Wonders of Orion” planetarium show and most recently, sponsored “Illuminations: The World of Light and Optics”, a now permanent exhibition of interactive optics and photonics demonstrations.

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