Location
Birla Planetarium features a fully computerized planetarium located
in the Kotturpuram suburbs of Chennai city. The planetarium is an
integral part of Periyar Science and Technology Centre, a premier
institute in the southern state of India, Tamil Nadu. Birla
Planetarium is situated on the Gandhi Mandapam Road with the nearest
bus stop and railway station being Kotturpuram Bus Stop and
Kotturpuram Railway Station. The bus station is about two kms north
of the planetarium and the railway station about a kilometre in the
north-east.
Overview
Birla Planetarium is a fully computerized planetarium featuring an
audio video sojourn of the cosmic space. The planetarium started as
a project in the year1988 and the establishment responsible for its
inception was the famous Periyar Science and Technology Centre of
Chennai. The planetarium was built in the memory of the leading
industrialist and visionary of India, B.M. Birla. The planetarium
hosts regular shows pertaining to the astronomy. The place, since
its inception is a frequently visited place by tourists, students,
environmentalists and people inclined to astronomy.
Features
Provided with the state of art technology, the planetarium
reproduces the celestial experience down here. The observatory
features fully computerized projector and one of sophisticated
pieces of technology, that is GM II projector. The audio video shows
hosted by the institution elucidate comprehensive knowledge as well
as personal experience of various cosmic phenomena. The planetarium
provides an air conditioned complex with seating capacity for 236
persons at any given time. The complex also houses a sound studio,
seminar hall and a class room. These places are provided for various
interactions and discourses that are offered by the science centre.
The popular exhibits of the centre include Solar System, Cycle of
Stars, Sky and Seasons, Comets, Man on the Moon. If you are
interested in catching the stars or have a look at the meteoroids
then make it sure to visit the place on second Saturday of the week.
The show featuring night watching is held between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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