Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The planetarium is named after India's first Prime Minister, who was a staunch advocate for scientific education.

2. 2

   The sky theatre projection system uses a combination of opto-mechanical and digital projectors to achieve high-fidelity star simulations.

3. 3

   The outdoor Science Park features a Giant Equatorial Sundial that tracks time based on the sun's position.

4. 4

   The facility hosts 'Know Your Stars', a monthly session where staff guide visitors through identifying constellations in the current night sky.

5. 5

   It maintains a library specifically dedicated to physics, astronomy, and general science literature.

6. 6

   The planetarium building is a landmark within the Cubbon Park vicinity, often hosting regional science fairs.

7. 7

   The site occasionally facilitates public viewings of rare astronomical events like solar eclipses or planetary transits.

Overview

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is a prominent science education center in Bangalore managed by the Bangalore Association for Science Education (BASE). The facility features a dome-shaped sky theatre that utilizes a hybrid projection system to simulate celestial movements and star fields. It hosts daily fulldome planetarium shows in both Kannada and English. The campus includes a Science Park with interactive outdoor exhibits that demonstrate scientific principles like sun dials and momentum. It serves as a hub for amateur astronomers and organizes regular sky-gazing sessions using high-powered telescopes. The center focuses on promoting scientific temper through educational workshops and guest lectures. It is situated on the premises of the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology. The institution functions as an autonomous body supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka.

Insider tips

• Check the show schedule in advance, as screenings alternate between languages.

• Spend extra time exploring the outdoor Science Park models before or after the indoor dome show.

• Visit during the 'Know Your Stars' monthly event for an guided overview of the current season's celestial visibility.