Inflativerse: a mobile planetarium

The University of Nottingham has developed a mobile planetarium that revisits the instant architecture fad to explore outer space. The Inflativerse uses a 20 foot wide balloon of black plastic to create a pitch-black environment in which to project images of stars and constellations.

The Inflativerse uses air-pumped technology to explode space outward. Visitors enter a sealed dome, where the absence of light facilitates the illusion of boundless space. Inside, a light show mimics the night sky and illustrates astronomical stories, intended to enlighten a generation accustomed to the starless haze of light pollution.