CPUT is helping to launch ageing Planetarium equipment from analogue straight into the digital era.
The Iziko Planetarium has entertained around 2 million visitors (half of which are schoolchildren) for 30 years but obsolete equipment has forced the museum staff to urgently consider a digital upgrade.
The upgrade (due to last around six months) will cost around R27 million and CPUT, along with academic partners UCT and UWC have made donations to ensure the longevity of the Planetarium for future generations.
The new state of the art full dome immersive theatre will play an important role in research endeavours in the region and will create a 4D learning experience for students in a number of disciplines including marine and ocean sciences, engineering and the informatics and design streams.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships Dr Chris Nhlapo says the matter of considering a contribution to the digital upgrade to the Planetarium was discussed at the highest institutional level at CPUT.
“Ultimately CPUT, the Western Cape and indeed South Africa gains so much more as a result of this collaboration. Singularly none of the institutions would have been able to afford a R27 million piece of equipment however together we can all benefit from this upgrade. For CPUT this means students in our Informatics and Design and Engineering departments will have access to cutting edge infrastructure and as a region we are assisting to drive the research agenda of the province and ensure the Western Cape remains the intellectual hub of the country,” he says.
