On March 21, 2015, the Yokkaichi Municipal Museum reopened with GOTO INC's latest planetarium technology. The planetarium features a "CHIRON4○1 HYBRID SYSTEM", which in fact is a TRIPLE HYBRID SYSTEM. The 3 main elements of this system are：
(1) GOTO's most advanced opto-mechanical projector ever.
Yokkaichi's CHIRON4○1 is based upon the new CHIRON III projector, which was released in July 2014. It has extremely high brightness LED illumination, and which shows the intrinsic color temperature of 9,500 naked-eye stars down to magnitude 6.55. It displays a Milky Way with more than 100,000,000 micro-stars down to magnitude 18, and accurate dark nebulae as well. All of these features are contained in a starball which is only 48cm in diameter!
(2) VIRTUARIUM II, a fulldome digital video system using two 8K e-shift projectors – a first in the planetarium field.
(3) Digital Skyline System which produces immersive landscapes in the tilted theater using three high-brightness 4K video projectors. The result is a scene across the front of the tilted dome which is 10,000 pixels wide, and which pulls audiences into beautiful scenes of earthly nature and space.

The Planetarium theater with the TRIPLE HYBRID SYSTEM at Yokkaichi is called the “Cosmic Cruiser” and is GOTO’s most advanced system to date. Since GOTO INC is the pioneer in HYBRID technology, all systems are highly synchronized in their motions and unified control systems. GOTO INC lenses are used exclusively on all video projectors, and GOTO’s proprietary blending and geometry coordination have created a smooth and continuous image throughout the whole sky.

The 18.5m dome was renewed as part of the renovation, and a Nano-Seam dome now virtually eliminates any visible seams by use of butt-joint technology, rather than overlapping seams.

The audio system is a work of art in itself. 13 main speakers behind the dome, 3 sub-woofers, and 44 speakers mounted beneath seats give the audience a truly immersive concert hall experience.

Seating was also renewed with 164 ergonomically designed seats which provide comfortable viewing even for extended periods of time. The renovation also gave Yokkaichi an opportunity to add family seats and mobile chairs to allow for wheelchair seating.

Since the city of Yokkaichi is a port city, the facility’s name “Ginga Port 401” (Galaxy Port 401) is a natural. Originally opened in 1993 with a GOTO MODEL HELIOS projector, Yokkaichi administrators were very satisfied with their long relationship with GOTO INC. So they entrusted the planetarium renovation project to GOTO’s oversight and management not only for the star machine, but for all other parts of the planetarium systems as well. From seats to LED lighting systems, to the stars – GOTO handled it all, on time, and on budget.

GOTO INC even produced a very special opening show for the newly renovated planetarium. “Earth’s Message” encourages visitors to have even more interest in global environmental issues after viewing Earth from space.
Exhibit areas were also updated, with a new theme of “Yokkaichi Pollution and Environmental Museum for Future Awareness”. The “Cosmic Gallery” area stresses attention to the Earth and our surroundings, as seen by astronauts. A Cosmic Lounge is provided, and a workshop is also a part of the engaging and educational fun at the museum. And the museum even carries its message of science and astronomy into the community by use of its GOTO ASTROCAR - a mobile observatory named “KIRAKIRA GO” and even a portable planetarium.

Address : 3-16 Yasujima 1 chome, Yokkaichi-city, Mie Pref. 510-0075
http://www.city.yokkaichi.mie.jp/museum/museum.html