Foreword

In this tutorial we will be covering how to open up the planetarium step by step including how to launch the WorldWide Telescope (WWT) application. The motivation of this page is to provide a step-by-step guide for anyone interested in learning how to operate a planetarium and explore the night sky.

Opening:

Step 1

Identify and turn on all six UW Planetarium projectors that look like the following image
The projectors are named after celestial bodies attached to the side: Mercury, Moon, Mars, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter

Screen Shot 2023-03-28 at 11.33.24 PM.png

Step 2

Click the power button for each projector once
If you turned on the projector correctly, it will make a beep sound and project a blue screen

Screen Shot 2023-03-28 at 11.35.47 PM.png

Step 3A

Go to computer room located to the left of the planetarium desk
Locate all PC’s
Top computer is the main planetarium computer you will be using
The bottom six PC’s are the projector computers

Screen Shot 2023-03-28 at 11.39.13 PM.png

Step 3B

Turn on each computer by clicking the power button
Please make sure you have turned on all computers. Each PC will make a “beep” sound once it’s turned on.

Screen Shot 2023-03-28 at 11.40.42 PM.png

Step 3B

If you’re planning on using audio for your show, turn on buttons (2) and (3)
If you’re closing the planetarium, ensure that you turn them off
If you’re not using audio skip this step

Screen Shot 2023-03-28 at 11.45.02 PM.png

Step 3C

Identify the Xbox controller and battery pack
Remove the battery from the battery charger
If you’re closing the planetarium, please make sure to add it back to the same location and make sure it’s charging

Screen Shot 2023-03-28 at 11.47.14 PM.png

Step 3D

Add Xbox battery to the back of the Xbox controller
If you did it correctly, you should hear it snapping in place

Screen Shot 2023-03-28 at 11.48.06 PM.png

Step 4

If you’re using audio for your show, turn on button (1)
If you’re not using audio, skip this step
Audio level board controls the volume of the planetarium

Opening the WWT Software:

Screen Shot 2023-03-28 at 11.51.58 PM.png

Step 5

Planetarium password for computer: popcorn
Ensure that all projector computers are turned on including the projectors. You should see all planet desktops projected before proceeding

Step 5A:

Click both buttons on the HDMI splitter located in the computer room
The red light should be on WWT
If the red lights are NOT on WWT - click the button on each to change the
If you would like to use the Xbox controller for your planetarium show:
To turn on the controller, hold the large button until it turns green