HELIOSTATS INSTALLED IN GARDEN OF LIGHT
Heliostats installed in 'Garden of Light'
As the development of the Omagh Bomb Memorial Garden nears completion in time for the 10th anniversary commemorative ceremony on Friday, August 15, 2008, the final elements of the design are being put in place with the installation of the two heliostats on Tuesday of this week.
The heliostats are giant mirrors which measure approximately 2.5 metres in diameter and weigh 600kg. They are controlled by computer to track the sun and throw a constant beam of light onto the 31 small mirrors in the garden.
The light is reflected from these onto a large mirror situated at the corner of Drumragh Avenue and from there shines onto the Tyrone crystal heart which is set in the glass obelisk at the bomb site at the bottom of Market Street.
The installation of the heliostats is the first time this cutting-edge technology has been used in Ireland. A German company - Egis gmBh - has been commissioned to supply and install the device. It is driven by a small box of electronics which is programmed to track the sun daily for the next 40 years. It is the same technology as that used to track satellites, and causes the heliostats to move very quietly for a fraction of a degree every 20 seconds to keep in position.
Landscape designer Desmond Fitzgerald, who is co-designer of the project, said that this final element in the garden's design brings to fruition the concept of the 'Garden of Light'.
"The installation of the heliostats brings the whole garden to light. Already there are unexpected and wonderful light effects from the 31 mirrors which were installed last week. Patterns of shadows on the ground and reflections of light and shadow in the pool ensure that the garden is constantly changing", he added.
As the development of the Omagh Bomb Memorial Garden nears completion in time for the 10th anniversary commemorative ceremony on Friday, August 15, 2008, the final elements of the design are being put in place with the installation of the two heliostats on Tuesday of this week.
The heliostats are giant mirrors which measure approximately 2.5 metres in diameter and weigh 600kg. They are controlled by computer to track the sun and throw a constant beam of light onto the 31 small mirrors in the garden.
The light is reflected from these onto a large mirror situated at the corner of Drumragh Avenue and from there shines onto the Tyrone crystal heart which is set in the glass obelisk at the bomb site at the bottom of Market Street.
The installation of the heliostats is the first time this cutting-edge technology has been used in Ireland. A German company - Egis gmBh - has been commissioned to supply and install the device. It is driven by a small box of electronics which is programmed to track the sun daily for the next 40 years. It is the same technology as that used to track satellites, and causes the heliostats to move very quietly for a fraction of a degree every 20 seconds to keep in position.
Landscape designer Desmond Fitzgerald, who is co-designer of the project, said that this final element in the garden's design brings to fruition the concept of the 'Garden of Light'.
"The installation of the heliostats brings the whole garden to light. Already there are unexpected and wonderful light effects from the 31 mirrors which were installed last week. Patterns of shadows on the ground and reflections of light and shadow in the pool ensure that the garden is constantly changing", he added.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC10An/72
Published Date: 07-Aug-08
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