PM Modi inaugurates India's first LED dome planetarium in Mysuru
The COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium, built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, features a dome with 4.2 crore LEDs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium at the University of Mysore campus on Friday. According to reports from Deccan Chronicle, The Sentinel, and Moneycontrol, the facility is India's first LED dome planetarium.
Located at the foothills of Chamundi Hills, the centre was developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) to serve as a hub for astronomy research, training, and education. The Prime Minister toured the facility and watched a programme at the Sky Theatre, where he also met with astronomers and space scientists from Ladakh.
The planetarium's technical setup includes a 15-metre tilted dome made of approximately 6,150 panels. These panels contain 4.2 crore individual LEDs that can be managed in real time, which differs from traditional planetariums that rely on projectors and passive domes.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the ceremony alongside Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Governor Sudha Yadav, and Mysuru-Kodagu BJP MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar. Sitharaman stated that the institution would help children understand celestial bodies and encourage scientific questioning.
The Sky Theatre will present astronomy programmes and a film regarding the link between Mysuru's history and astronomy. These shows will be offered in Hindi, English, and Kannada. The centre will also include a museum, exhibition halls, a lecture hall, and interactive outdoor displays.