Inexpensive Planetarium Projector

Problem: Your star projector is 51 years old, costs $3800, plus lots of time each year to maintain, is slow, and justs puts white dots on the dome (no gee-whiz moments)?
     Not sure how many of you Astro educators have a similar situation, but if you do, this may help. I have been doing this for several years now, while waiting for a planned renovation that will/wont  take place. I like the way it works, and the kids respond well to it. It's not perfect, but it's cheap, and effective.

Step 1: Be sure you have a digital projector. I have used 3 different ones over the past 4 years, and noticed that they're getting better and cheaper. The one you have may work pretty well. then pick up a 24" quarter round security mirror. Will cost around $30. Mount that behind the mirror

Use your projector like you normally would until you want to project on the dome. Then, simply turn it around, and adjust a few settings.

You will want to set it up for rear projection

You may have to play around with the distance between the mirror, and the projector

 Play around with the adjustments until you're happy with the image