Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium in Karnataka on Friday. The facility marks a major development in planetarium technology and astronomy education.
Built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), it is India’s first LED Dome planetarium.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Governor Sudha Yadav, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar attended the ceremony.
Located on the University of Mysore campus near Chamundi Hills, the planetarium will serve as a centre for astronomy education and training.
Its 15-metre tilted dome features approximately 6,150 panels containing 4.2 crore individual LEDs.
Unlike conventional planetariums that rely on projectors, the facility uses real-time controlled LED panels to create immersive visual experiences.
After the inauguration, Sitharaman showed Modi around the facility and explained its features.
The Prime Minister also watched a presentation at the Sky Theatre and interacted with astronomers, space scientists and experts from Ladakh.
The Sky Theatre will screen professionally produced astronomy programmes and an in-house film exploring the links between Mysuru’s history and astronomy.
Visitors can watch these presentations in Kannada, English and Hindi.
The centre will also feature exhibition halls, an astronomy museum, a lecture hall, a training facility and interactive outdoor displays.
COSMOS-Mysuru will complement the IIA’s research activities, including the operation of multi-wavelength telescopes in India and space.
It will also support the development of future astronomical facilities and nationwide science outreach programmes.
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