GOTO INC President Nobutaka Goto is pleased to announce that the planetarium at The Shiroi Community Culture Center near Tokyo Japan has reopened as of May 2, 2015, after a major refurbishment. First opened in 1994 using a GOTO Model 1014 opto-mechanical projector, the old projector is now retired to an exhibit space in the lobby, and a new CHRONOS II system is giving the Center many new capabilities.

Since a high priority in their planetarium is live programming by the Center's staff, the CHRONOS II was chosen for its best possible reproduction of the night sky, and its ease of operation. Ms. Takayo Hasegawa, an interpreter in the planetarium for the past 21 years says, "We can see 9,500 stars, from the brightest stars to the dimmest, as in a real, totally dark, starry sky. So even though it is a 2-dimensional sky, it looks as if it is 3D. The CHRONOS II can expand our imagination beyond the 12m dome, up to and beyond the Galaxy." GOTO INC continues to pledge our support of live programming in the dome, and commend Ms. Hasegawa for her great work sharing the wonders of the night sky with her audiences.

Features of the CHRONOS II opto-mechanical projector

1. CHRONOS II reproduces the best visible starry sky
High brightness LED illumination of 9,500 stars to mag. 6.5.
Brighter and more natural sky, including Milky Way.
12 constellation figure projectors, coordinate lines, sunrise/sunset glow, morning and evening twilight are all included in the main body of the Shiroi CHRONOS II.
2. CHRONOS II has a very small presence in the dome
The main body of CHRONOS II is 1/2 the size of the Model 1014si, providing more obstruction-free viewing.
The installation footprint is 1/4 the size of the Model 1014si, allowing easier access inside the dome, especially for wheelchairs.
3. Installation notes
The existing console table was re-used, but with new buttons and knobs which control the many more features of the CHRONOS II.
A special time capsule was packed in the planetarium's base, with messages from Shiroi's citizens telling of their hopes for the planetarium. The capsule will be opened at the next planetarium refurbishment and the cards sent back to each individual.

The Shiroi Community Culture Center Director Msanobu Komatu is proud to operate this library, culture center, local historical museum, and planetarium. It is open widely to the public for creative community activities and observation of local culture. For more information and the planetarium schedule, please visit :
www.center.shiroi.chiba.jp