Imagine if the night sky could be brought inside. Star projectors are able to bring the night sky inside, by filling ceilings and walls with constellations, stars, and other elements. This creates an immersive experience that will spark imaginations. Star projectors are easy to use and set up and come in many sizes. They also have budget options to fit a wide range of budgets.
Here are some quick tips to help you choose the right star projector. You should choose a simulation that is consistent with the current time and day. 2. The stars will appear sharper if the space is smaller. 3. Make sure you check how many disks are included with each product. 4. If you are using the night-light, choose automatic shut-off.
Star projectors are just like everything else. You get what you pay. The more expensive models tend to focus on ambient projections that are room-filling and colorful, but mostly novelty-style. However, the higher the price, the better the accuracy is and the closer to a science-based, planetarium-style experience. The latter are better suited for children who have a keen interest and knowledge of the night sky.
Space.com has scoured the market to find the best star projectors. We've gathered the top for creating stars, galaxies, and other ideal bedroom projects.
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1. Sega Toys Homestar Flux Dimensions: 160 x 160 x 150 mm | Weight: 1.36 lbs. Max. Accuracy: True to time and date
The sleekest and most powerful star projectors available, the Sega Toys Homestar Flux satin black is a great value and an ambitious product. The Homestar Flux is more of a star projector than a planetarium. Its multilevel glass lenses create stunningly atmospheric and precise projections that are bright and sharp. You can adjust the focus to see 60,000 stars more than other competitors. And, you don't even need a dark room because of the Homestar Flux' brightness.
This globe-like product is a success because of the number of stars displayed and the many science-based upgrades available. The product ships with two disks. One shows a starry sky with over 60,000 stars and the other has constellation labels. It features a "shooting Star" function, and an automatic shut-off function after 15 minutes, 30 or 60 minutes.
You can also shop at Sega Toys online shop, Astrial. There are 30 additional disks available. The simulation of the aurora borealis is perhaps the highlight, while the total and annular solar eclipses are the lowlight. This image shows only partial eclipses overlayed on an image showing the Milky Way. It's not very realistic! The same goes for the one that shows the solar system's planets. However, there are many other images that impress, including those that show galaxies and nebulas as well as NASA-based imagery. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope captured the North America nebula. NASA also imaged the strange seven-star system Jabbah (officially Nu Scorpii, IC 4592), using NASA's WISE mission. Disks can be purchased that mimic fireworks, night jellyfish, and even a hot-air balloon festival.
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2. Weight: 1.57 lbs. Max. Accuracy: True to time and date
The National Geographic Astro Planetarium indoor planetarium offers a high-quality, accurate representation of the night skies at a reasonable price. It also comes with many extras. There are two projection disks included. One shows 8,000 stars, the other overlays guidelines to the major constellations. Importantly, you can see what you have set to at the exact time and date you want.
It's very easy to use. It's easy to adjust the focus wheel and rotate the image in darkness by using the buttons that glow blue. This results in a bright, sharp projection on the ceiling. The optics used in this planetarium come from German optics manufacturer Bresser. They make telescopes, binoculars, and microscopes. The projection's edge can make stars appear slightly blurred.
An optional "falling-star" mode is a novel feature that projects a flashing meteor every forty seconds but always in the same spot. This feature is not related to astronomy, but it does have an unexpected feature that makes it stand out.
The box contains four posters and three AA batteries. It also includes a 3.5mm jack cable that can be used to connect a smartphone or other audio device. You can also listen to music as you stargaze indoors via the FM radio.
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3. Weight: 1.4 lbs. Max. Accuracy: True to time and date
The Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe, although not as striking as the Bresser-made National Geographic Astro Planetarium is, is almost identical. This incarnation is available in silver or black and has the exact same projections and specifications. It also works the same way. However, there are some differences.
You will receive the same Astro Planetarium Multimedia disks, one with a starry nightsky overlay and another with constellation overlays. They are all accurate to your time and date.
It can be used to project up to 2 meters. The built-in motors allow you to rotate the image through 360 degrees. You can also adjust the image with a focus wheel that revolves around the Bresser lens. You can set it to automatically shut down after 30, 60, or 120 minutes. This is helpful if the camera is intended to be used in a child's bedroom where they wish to sleep under the stars.
You can also activate the falling star mode to project a flashing meteor every forty seconds.
The only thing that sets the Bresser Junior Astroplanetarium Deluxe apart from the National Geographic Astro Planetarium, is the lack of an integrated FM radio and the ability to attach an additional audio device. This is a useful difference, and the Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe can be purchased at a lower price if you don't need that functionality.
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4. Weight: 1.1 lbs. Max. Accuracy: Random star projections
This star projector is a serious astronomical instrument that's not as common as other star projectors. The Omegon Star Theater Pro Planetarium ships on a small tripod stand. It is powered by a USB Cable, so it can be connected to a portable power source for special occasions, such as when you need to place it in central of a room.
Although the adjustable projection distance can be adjusted from 15 to 6.8 metres is useful, it does not provide brightness, sharpness, or stellar accuracy. You can't change the time or day so you get a random starry sky without labels, context or constellation guides. Although it does contain the arc of Milky Way, it is difficult to identify what you might recognize.
It is a good choice for anyone looking for a night sky display, but it is not a great learning tool.
The "space night lamp" boasts a multitude of additional disks. The box also contains an Earth/Moon/Sun disc. Online, you can find additional disks that show a detailed Milky Way, a star forming nebula and the planets in the solar system from the flyover perspective.
So that you can also play discs for similar Uncle Milton products, the Omegon Star Theater Pro Planetarium can also be sold under the Uncle Milton brand.
This star projector, like most others, has a sleep time function. It turns off the star projector after 30-60 minutes.
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5. Weight: 1.85 lbs. Max. Accuracy: Fixed Northern Hemisphere starscape
The adjustable desktop stand comes with the Smithsonian Optics Room Planetarium. This allows you to aim your Dual Projector Science Kit and Smithsonian Optics Room Planetarium at any location you choose. You can also see the stars across the ceiling and walls. You can rotate the stars and make them move. The default planetarium slide can also be used as a background for images from the three other slides. These 24 images are simple stills of objects such as the sun, Earth, moon, asteroids, planets, the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle, an astronaut on a flight, and deep-sky sights like galaxies or nebulas. The poster is also included.
This planetarium mode is best suited for children than adults. It only shows the stars in the northern hemisphere, and it lacks constellation guidelines or labels. So whether or not it is possible to learn anything by its projections is a question.
The Smithsonian Optics Room Planetarium is available in black or blue, and can be powered by four AAA batteries. It also has a 15-minute auto-shutoff feature so that children can fall asleep beneath the stars. It is best suited for young children who are interested in space but not in detail. It is very easy to use and extremely affordable, so it will be a good choice for anyone with low expectations.
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Imagine yourself floating through a nebula or in a star cluster. You can't get scientific accuracy from the BlissLights Sky Lite 2. It is a captivating ambient experience that surpasses its scientific rigor in terms of creativity.
This laser-powered projector is ideal for use in home offices, home cinemas and gaming rooms. It can also be used to create multicolored clouds. The projector uses an LED and direct laser diode to create dynamic RGB projections. The setup is simple, as the product has three ridges in its bottom that allow it to project at different angles. This includes upwards onto a ceiling. The USB power cable allows for easy positioning. This means that the Sky Lite 2.0 can either be powered from a laptop or a portable battery.
The latest version 2.0 also features the BlissLights app for smartphones. This allows users to connect via Bluetooth and choose from seven effects modes. They can also customize the intensity, brightness, and rotation speed of the projectors. You can also create custom colours using the app. Stars are always either green (if purchased the "Classic Green Stars") or blue (if bought the "Cobalt Blue Stars")
Sky Lite 2.0's goal is to be hypnotic and otherworldly. If you are looking for a hypnotic journey through a fictional nebula, or is it aurora? If this is what you are looking for, the star projector delivers.
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7. Weight: 0.39 lbs. Max size of projection: N/A
This cardboard cut-out is sold in the U.K. under the Science Museum Create A Night Sky, and elsewhere under the 4M Night Sky Project Kit. It might not appear at first that this would be a worthwhile addition to our list. This is just a small cardboard cut-out that can be placed over a lamp. Although the result is quite simple, it's how you get there that's the most interesting part.
This is a wonderful learning tool. It is a projector-like globe that can be projected onto the nightsky. This will allow children to learn about the northern and south hemispheres before they even reach the stars. They will then need to make holes for the major constellations and stars.
The hardware is also very simple. The lamp comes with a square base and requires 4xAA batteries. These are not included. The support is fixed at each corner. Next, place the night sky domes above the lamp. With the lights off, the stars will be lit up in front of you and projected onto the ceiling and walls. There are some drawbacks. The printed constellations and stars are projected back-to-front in order to provide a clear projection. Although it is time-consuming and tedious, this makes it an affordable and effective learning tool. You should expect a novelty nightlight for your child's bedroom.
