Mangaluru, Dec 21 (PTI) The 3D Planetarium with latestworld-class technical specifications, currently under construction at Pilikula near here, is expected to be thrown open to public by January end or February first week, State Minister for Science and Technology M R Seetharam said today.
Addressing reporters after reviewing the progress of thework, he said the planetarium would be named after Swami Vivekananda.
The planetarium, to be run after by the PilikulaDevelopment Authority, has a capacity to seat 200 people, hesaid.
The 3D hybrid planetarium, built at a cost of Rs 35.60 crore, was unique in terms of its latest specifications and would be unidirectional with a dome diameter of 18 metres to present modern inventions coupled with 3D technology to students and science enthusiasts.
The project started with an estimated budget of Rs 24.50crore and later extended to Rs 35.60 crore.
The new planetarium will have Megastar IIA opticalprojector from Ohira Tech Japan integrated with digistar andactive stereo 3D 8K digital planetarium system from Evans andSutherland Computer Corporation.
Pilikula being a tourist destination with its biologicalpark, heritage village and a science centre, was the ideallocation for the planetarium, the minister said.
He further said 2D planetariums would be built atHubballi, Bagalkote and Vijayapura and a mini planetarium andscience centre at Kodagu.
A proposal has been sent to construct a 2D planetarium atGadag. PTI MVG RAROH.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.