Patna: Visitors to the planetarium in Patna will soon have a chance to explore space in a more direct and exciting way. From May, an Astronomy Park is set to open inside the planetarium complex, along with the installation of a giant telescope worth around Rs 1 crore. Officials say the new facilities will help people observe planets and other objects in the sky more clearly and understand important scientific ideas in a simple manner.
The telescope is being installed on the roof of the planetarium and will remain permanently fixed there. It will be fitted with high-power lenses and a modern tracking system. This technology will allow visitors to see planets, satellites and other celestial bodies in greater detail. During special astronomical events, such as planetary alignments or visible movements in the sky, people will be able to watch them directly through the telescope. Authorities believe this will make astronomy more practical and interesting for students and science lovers.
The new Astronomy Park will include 11 exhibits designed to explain scientific concepts in an easy and interactive way. Models will demonstrate how a sundial works, how time is calculated and how the Earth moves around the sun. These exhibits aim to make learning fun and understandable, especially for school and college students. Officials hope the park will become a popular place for educational visits and inspire young people to take an interest in science and research.
The planetarium’s Sky Theater is already running eight shows every day, six in Hindi and two in English. These programmes cover topics such as space, the environment and scientific discoveries. Popular shows include We Are Stars, which explains the origin of the universe and life on Earth, and Voyager, which gives detailed information about NASA’s Voyager mission and the planets of the solar system. Other shows such as Life of Trees and Asteroid Mission focus on environmental awareness and possible threats from space. With the addition of the telescope and Astronomy Park, the planetarium is expected to become an even bigger centre for science education in the state.
