The Indira Gandhi Planetarium (
ISO: ), also known as the Patna Planetarium (
ISO: ), is located in
Patna's Indira Gandhi Science Complex. The
planetarium
A planetarium ( planetariums or ''planetaria'') is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation.
A dominant feature of most planetarium ...
was constructed through Bihar Council on Science & Technology at a total cost of about .
It was conceptualised in 1989 by Bihar
Chief Minister Shri
Satyendra Narain Sinha with construction commencing in the same year, and opened for the public from 1 April 1993.
It is named after senior
Indian National Congress leader and former
Prime Minister of India
The prime minister of India (IAST: ) is the head of government of the Republic of India. Executive authority is vested in the prime minister and their chosen Council of Ministers, despite the president of India being the nominal head of the ...
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (; Given name, ''née'' Nehru; 19 November 1917 – 31 October 1984) was an Indian politician and a central figure of the Indian National Congress. She was elected as third prime minister of India in 1966 ...
.
The Indira Gandhi Planetarium is one of the largest planetariums in Asia. It attracts many domestic as well as foreign tourists. The planetarium has regular film shows on subjects related to astronomy. It also holds exhibitions, which attract many visitors.
The planetarium uses traditional opto-mechanical projection of celluloid film.
Criticism
In contrast to more modern digital projectors, the opto-mechanical system uses films that are difficult to change. As a consequence, the same film may be shown for years.
Competition
The first digital planetarium of Bihar was planned to open in late 2016 at the premises of Shrikrishna Science Centre near
Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
The planetarium has been developed at a cost of and is equipped with a Carl Zeiss digital projector system.
See also
*
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Science City
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Science City is a science city that is currently under construction. It is being built by Department of Science and Technology Government of Bihar to promote and popularize Science among people. It is located a ...
*
Bihar Museum
*
Patna Museum
*
Swami Vivekananda Planetarium, Mangalore
References
External links
WPD
Tourist attractions in Patna
Buildings and structures in Patna
Planetaria in India
Museums in Patna
Monuments and memorials to Indira Gandhi
1993 establishments in Bihar
Museums established in 1993
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