The great achievements of Arab astronomers are evident in the fact that many of the major stars such as Aldebaran, Altair, Achernar, Alkaid and Betelgeuse have Arabic or Arabic-derived names. Now a British company is hoping that Arab pride in that rich heritage will make Gulf customers particularly receptive to its fibre-optic star ceilings which simulate the night sky, whether in a bedroom or as a dramatic conversation piece in a public area.

A combination of halogen light and hundreds of optical fibres create a dazzling starscape, with the constellations and stars accurately modelled for the most realistic effect, according to Starscape Star Ceilings.

ÒThe Starscape star ceiling is ideal for the hotel and restaurant trade, has applications in the retail sector and can be used in company reception areas or boardrooms,Ó says Peter Fagan, a partner in the firm. ÒIn private homes, a star ceiling could be installed above a dining table, in an entrance hall or stairwell, or in a bedroom. The night sky simulation could also be used to great effect in a conservatory or swimming pool.Ó

Fagan, a former editor of GCM, took two years to develop and perfect the concept, and he expects the fibre-optic ceiling to go down well in the Gulf.

One of the companyÕs first installations in the UK was at DurhamÕs Ramside Hall Hotel, where a star ceiling was used to create a dramatic feature in one of the hotelÕs more intimate bars. A single 20 W halogen bulb is sufficient to light the 8 ft disk with its approximately 500 fibre-optic stars, says Fagan.

ÒIn StarscapeÕs star ceiling, you can pick out the stars in OrionÕs belt, the pointers in the Great Bear leading to the North Star (Polaris) and the distinctive cluster of the Pleiades,Ó he explains. ÒNot only are the stars all shown in their correct relative brightness, but youÕll also spot distinctive red stars such as Aldebaran and Betelgeuse and the fuzzy ellipse of the Great Spiral galaxy in Andromeda. A subtle atmospheric twinkling erect is incorporated into the standard design, and shooting star effects can also be included, if required.Ó

He continues: ÒHowever, the impact of the star ceiling is not limited to the fibre-optic stars, since a major feature of the design is the collection of graphics by artist Cara Lockhart Smith depicting the heroes, heroines and beasts of classical mythology which are associated with the various constellations. For designers who prefer to generate their own artwork, Starscape will supply a template file with the star positions shown and the new constellation graphics can be inserted in the correct scale and orientation.

ÒWhere a suitable ceiling location is not available, the depiction of the night-sky can also be used to good effect as a mural - either in the full-star disk format or as a rectangular Ôriver of lightÕ panel which focuses on the constellations found in and around the band of the Milky Way.

ÒEach star ceiling is made to order, with customers free to select which month of the year the sky should depict, making it possible to ensure that the constellation associated with a specific astrological birth sign is included. The names of the major constellations and stars are included in the graphics, and if required, these could be reproduced in Arabic rather than the standard English design.

ÒThe standard finish of the disk is a dark blue, but customers can select other colours to match existing room decor. The graphics are normally printed directly on to Foamex board which is incorporated into a sandwich panel construction, but since a large flatbed printer is used a wide choice of substrates is possible.

ÒThe standard design includes a hardwood moulding around the rim of the disk, but designers are free to substitute a circumference trim of their own choosing. The star ceiling disk can either be fitted flush to the ceiling or suspended.Ó

Prices start at £3,000 ($4,650) fob for an 8-ft diameter star ceiling, but even more ornate versions in bas-relief plaster or inlaid wood are also available for those with a bigger budget.

The company would welcome enquiries from potential distributors in the Gulf.