Science On a Sphere

Science On a Sphere (SOS) is a spherical projection system created by NOAA. It presents high-resolution video on a suspended globe rather than a flat screen, with the aim of better representing global phenomena. Animated images of atmospheric storms, climate change, and ocean temperature can be shown on the sphere to explain these complex environmental processes. SOS systems are most frequently installed in science museums, universities, zoos, and research institutions, although new and novel uses for these systems in a variety of presentation spaces and contexts are starting to emerge.

The system has been installed in more than 130 locations worldwide.

SOS uses many off-the-shelf hardware and software components combined into an innovative format. A spherical screen covered in ordinary latex paint hangs suspended in the center of a projection space. The screen is inert; it neither moves nor has any electronic parts. Surrounding the screen are four video projectors, positioned at ninety degree increments around the screen. Each projector is responsible for one quadrant of screen space. One CPU with two graphics cards (one for the projector output and one for the user interface) is used to control the system. The custom written SOS software runs on Linux.

SOS was invented by Alexander E. MacDonald, the former director of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory in Boulder, CO, and OAR Deputy Assistant Administrator for the NOAA Research Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes. MacDonald devised the original idea for Science On a Sphere in 1995 as part of other data visualization work he oversaw in what was the former NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory. A small but highly motivated and inventive team of NOAA staff led by chief designer David Himes wrote the SOS software and developed the SOS hardware and system architecture. This work enabled MacDonald's invention to move out from the laboratory and into performance spaces. A patent was awarded to NOAA for Science On a Sphere in August 2005, with MacDonald credited as the inventor. General system architecture and configuration specifications are as follows.

The carbon fiber sphere is 68 inches (1.7 m) in diameter. Other sphere sizes are possible, but would require custom engineering (at additional cost to the SOS recipient). The 68" sphere with a single seam at the equator weighs under 50 pounds (23 kg). The sphere is attached to the ceiling or suspension structure with a three-point suspension system to hold the sphere in place and reduce lateral movement. If the sphere moves, the images become un-focused. The cables are designed for strength yet small enough to blend into the background.

The system requires high quality, bright, long duty cycle projectors generally permanently installed in board rooms and high end home theaters rather than smaller portable and consumer models to endure the requirements of 8–10 hours per day, 7 days per week of most public displays. System designers also recommend a minimum of 3500 lumens.

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