# Ballooning Portable Planetariums The Inflativerse Offers a View of Space in No Time at All By Amelia Roblin | Published 2012-01-26 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inflativerse References: [notcot.org](http://www.notcot.org/post/45755/) & [prostheticknowledge.tumblr](http://prostheticknowledge.tumblr.com/post/16325722665/inside-the-inflativerse-the-university-of) Space and time may be intrinsically related but the tight relationship is rarely as apparent as it is demonstrated by the Inflativerse. The [blow-up dome](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giant-inflatables) is a mobile Starlab planetarium, bringing the wisdom of the stars easily and directly to students. Dreamed up by Evelyn Johnston and Boris Haubler of the [University of Nottingham](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breathing-ball), the inflatable orrery can be speedily pumped up in just five minutes' time. The extraordinary Inflativerse structure is equipped with a projector and an assortment of cylindrical filters which cast glowing images across the expansive darkened interior. But the Inflativerse exhibits more than constellations, it also shows children maps of the world's ocean currents and the Earth's plate tectonics. It is an accessible setting that will inspire kids' interest in outer space and their own planet, experienced conveniently from their very own schools. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 32% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Mobile Planetariums:** Opportunity for businesses to develop portable and inflatable planetariums that can bring the wonders of outer space directly to students. - **Educational Technology:** Opportunity for companies to integrate technology and educational content to create immersive learning experiences. - **STEM Education:** Opportunity to create STEM-focused educational programs and resources that foster students' interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. ### Who This Affects Most - **Education:** Opportunity for educational institutions and edtech companies to incorporate inflatable planetariums and educational content as part of their curriculum. - **Event Planning:** Opportunity for event planning companies to offer mobile planetarium experiences for educational and entertainment purposes. - **Science Communication:** Opportunity for science communication organizations to use inflatable planetariums as a tool for engaging and educating the public about space and science. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Inflated Design Classroom Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intermittent-dome.md) - [Nostalgia-Inspired Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bubble-planet.md) - [Miniature Astronomy Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-planetarium.md) - [Immersive Dome Exhibit](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lumisphere-experience.md) - [Immersive Balloon Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balloon-story-popup.md) - [Artful Garden Inflatable Spheres](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/this-is-air.md) - [Inflatable Modular Greenhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/havn.md) - [Inflatable Geodesic Adventure Tents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aerogogo-aerotent-series.md) - [Stars-Inspired Elliptical Planetariums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/planetarium-design.md)