Bought this projector for $30 at Target. That's about what this is worth. It makes a nice nightlight for young kids who like stars. There's a function which has the stars (bunch of blue dots) circulate clockwise around the primary object on the selected slide. There are three slides full of images including planets, satellites, distant galaxies and a NASA spaceshuttle and astronaut. The slides can be stored in a storage compartment on the back of the projector. This is a fun toy for small kids and makes naptime and bedtime something to look forward to. The projector is not very bright and requires darkness for the images to be visible. Some curtains in our kids' room solves this issue.

I don't understand what there is to hate about this product. Do people actually expect to see constellations and intricate detail? It's a $50 mini version of a planetarium.

Did you know that it took 31 lenses to work the very first planetarium built in the US!? That was back in the 30s! Imagine the kind of technology today! Do people think this is supposed to be comparable? Pfft.

This mini planetarium is perfect for a fan of the solar system. I'm 28, and this was a gift I received from a loved one. So you don't have to be a child to enjoy this.

No, it's not an accurate representation of stars, but this is a beautiful substitute. The light has a bluish tint, so the ambience is perfect for someone trying to sleep. There's something really comforting about the lights. I feel relaxed, soothed and clear-minded when I turn this on before I sleep. When I have a long or particularly rough day, this product makes me happy. It comes with slides, so you can swap out different images to add to the projection of stars. I chuckle a little each time I use the astronaut or satellite images because they are just cute. It's hard to describe the tranquility that this provides. It's more like something you just have to experience.

If your goal is to see realistic projections, then I suggest spending more money on the more advanced versions. Or, if you're not exactly rolling in the dough, just buy the glow in the dark stars to stick to your ceiling for the additional starry effect.

I recommend this product because I think it's worth the price (even though mine was gifted to me) and it's a comforting sort of night light that encourages interests in outer space.

One star is the lowest rating a vailable. What a shame. This thing is junk! The stars are only unfocused blobs. The room must be pitch dark in order to see what is projected. Rhe only way I could see it was by going into a windowless room and turning off the light. In a normally dark room ambient light would completely wash it out. The stand is so cheaply made that it won't hold the projector much less keep it aimed. I can't believe the Smithsonian allowed them to use their name on something this pitiful!

Purchased elsewhere.

Gave this for a Christmas gift. I put it together, tested in a pitched black room.

First, and probably most important, the LED running the projection is immensely weak. The flash light LED on my smart phone is brighter by a pretty large, almost laughable amount.

Second. The star simulator on it is horrifying. It is beyond out of focus and a blurry mess, and can't be adjusted. You know how stars look at night, almost perfect specks, not on this. With this they are about as clear as a UFO photo, no actually the UFO images on the internet are probably in better focus then the stars out of this...

Third. It is terrifyingly dim. The screen on your phone is brighter then this thing. It's that bad- that it deserved the first and third points.

Forth. It should survive the first drop, but not the second.

Fifth. Over all, due to the short comings of this, it's hard to call this an educational tool and surprising that the Smithsonian would stamp their name on it.

Finally. The Auto off feature is nice.

Horrible product:
1. The projector doesn't automatically switch frames in a single slide - meaning you have to fiddle with the device in the dark.
2. When turning the slide roll to the next frame the focus doesn't hold - meaning more fiddling.
Also like what the other reviewers said - the images aren't great and it is battery operated.