By K J M VarmaBeijing, Nov 5 (PTI) China will begin construction of theworld's highest planetarium next year in Tibet, localofficials said.
The planetarium, which is China's first, will have theregion's largest optical astronomical telescope, with a 1-meter-diameter lens, and become a major regional base forastronomical research and public science education, theScience and Technology Department of Tibet said.
The telescope will be jointly developed by theplanetarium and the National Astronomical Observatories, andbe used for variable star, state-run Xinhua news agency quotedthe Department as saying today.
"The instalment of the device will enable the planetariumto carry out professional astronomical research," said WangJunjie, deputy head of the department.
"The planetarium, with the highest altitude in the world,will become a 'perfect window' for the public to get to knowthe stars and explore the universe, thanks to little air orlight pollution in the region," Wang said.
Planned to be completed in 2019, the planetarium will bebuilt within the Tibet Museum of Natural Sciences in Tibet'sprovincial capital Lhasa, the department said.
Dubbed the "Roof of the World" on account of its position4,000 meters above sea level, Tibet has superb clear skies,ideal for astronomical observation, it said. PTI KJVZH.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.