Birla Planetarium

Birla Planetarium in Kolkata- the sky show                                          

Kolkata is known as the city of palaces due to its major tourist destinations. M.P Birla Planetarium in Kolkata is a research institute, educational hub,, and scientific platform that was established in the year 1962 and was inaugurated in 1963 in the month of July by the former prime minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. This is the first planetarium to be founded in India. The dome of the Planetarium measures 46 meters in circumference. The projector that is placed amidst the Planetarium is called Carl Zeiss universal projector. There are regular shows about space and the solar system, zodiacal patterns, and types of constellations. The Birla Planetarium has been modified with new updated versions after a break of twenty-eight months. From July 2017 the new hybrid system called full-dome projection has been replaced and you can view the shows in a more defined way. There is an electronic laboratory for designing science equipment.

History

The Birla Planetarium was established by the Birla Education Trust in 1985, with the Kolkata planetarium being the first of several to be built. The planetarium was established with the goal of promoting scientific temper and providing a platform for popularizing astronomy and science among the public. The planetarium uses advanced projection systems and multimedia technologies to provide visitors with an immersive experience of the night sky and the wonders of the universe. Over the years, Birla Planetarium has become a well-known educational and cultural institution in India, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Also Read: Top Weekend Getaways from Kolkata

Sky Show Timings

Sky shows are projected on a daily basis in three languages English, Bengali, and Hindi. Seven shows are shown every day starting from 12:30 pm to 6:30 and on holidays there are nine shows that start at 10:30 in the morning. The Planetarium holds a seating capacity of nearly 700 people.  Presently the cost of the ticket is 80 rupees per person and there is a concession for students. The lists of shows are mentioned below. Each show runs for one hour.

• 12:30- Hindi
• 1:30- English
• 2:30- Hindi
• 3:30- Bengali
• 4:30- Hindi
• 5:30- Bengali
• 6: 30- English

How to go Birla planetarium

The Planetarium stands at the junction of Shakespeare Sarani and cathedral road and is easily accessible by buses, taxis, and metro. The nearest metro station is Maidan and the Planetarium is located just 1 km away which is within walking distance from the metro station. You can also reach there by hiring a taxi if you are coming from Sealdah or Howrah station.

Other nearby tourists spots

• Pauls’s cathedral- it stands just on the left side of the Planetarium and is a large building of Gothic architecture operated by Christians.
• Eliot Park – this is a park that featured greeneries and a pond with sitting arrangements beside it. A wonderful ground for strolling couples.
• Victoria memorial– this one is located almost 3 km from the Planetarium and is dedicated to Queen Victoria that composed of a museum and galleries equipped with arms, paintings, arms, sculptures, and portraits.

Apart from these, you can wander about in the “gorer math” a ground with many past historical incidents. You can also spot the tallest building in Kolkata created by Tata steel from there.

Some useful tips

• There are no restaurants nearby, so you need to carry your own food and a water bottle.
• It is a mild cold inside so make sure to wear medium warm clothes.
• Visiting hours take one hour including the show and spotting the things in the laboratory. Make sure to choose the timing as per your comfortable language.

Birla Planetarium Other information

The Birla Planetarium is for those who have a keen interest to learn and know the depths of the universe and new discoveries in science. You would be excited to know and watch the shows which would leave a magical effect on you. From the beginning to the end, you can experience the thrill of the show. It is almost like the Planetarium in London and is the second-largest Planetarium in the world. The present modified version plays in front of you the three-dimensional show which makes you feel like sitting in a spaceship and watching the universe from there.

This is great knowledge for the students as well as the adults. All updated positions of planets and threats of the universe are shown, the updated news of which is directly fed from NASA. You would be glad to know about the creation of the universe and how collisions have created a solar system and life on earth. That there is not one galaxy in h universe and thousands of galaxies are present. And how new inventions have been saving our earth from collisions with asteroids.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions:

1. What is the Birla Planetarium?

• The Birla Planetarium is a chain of planetariums in India that provide audio-visual shows and exhibits on astronomy, science, and technology.

2. Where is the Birla Planetarium located?

• The headquarters of the Birla Planetarium is located in Kolkata, India, but there are several other planetariums in India as well.

3. What kind of shows does the Birla Planetarium offer?

• The Birla Planetarium offers audio-visual shows on astronomy, as well as exhibits on science and technology.

4. What is the history of the Birla Planetarium?

• The Birla Planetarium was established by the Birla Education Trust in 1985 with the goal of promoting scientific temper and popularizing astronomy and science among the public.

5. What is the goal of the Birla Planetarium?

• The goal of the Birla Planetarium is to provide a platform for educating the public about astronomy and science and to promote scientific temper.

6. Is the Birla Planetarium a popular tourist attraction?

• Yes, the Birla Planetarium is a popular tourist attraction and educational resource, attracting millions of visitors each year.