All new planetariums in Odisha would have the latest hybrid technology, which would showcase images of stars and little shining objects of the universe with clarity.
While a planetarium at Burla has already come up and would be opened soon, three more planetariums are being set up at Baripada, Gopalpur and Rayagada, said official sources.
The three new planetariums would be established at a cost of Rs 35 crore, and these facilities would present an entertaining educational show where students and children can learn about astronomy. Each hybrid projector would cost around Rs 6 crore.
In India, there are five planetariums which have been upgraded with hybrid technology as this system is the latest one. The technology would expose students to the concept of the solar system and space.
Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, while reviewing the activities of the Department of Science & Technology at the State Secretariat here recently, asked the concerned authorities to go in for the latest technology, Hybrid One.
Digital projectors are presently used which is unable to showcase images of stars and other smaller objects of the solar system as these projectors lack clarity, particularly when showing the star systems and other smaller objects of the solar system like comets, asteroids and meteoroids.
The latest hybrid system projector would be a combination both opto-mechanical and digital system projectors. The hybrid system, with a synchronising software, is computer-compatible and uses long-lasting lED bulbs. It creates a much brighter and more realistic star field due to the use of optical fibre technology. The software helps operate opto-mechanical and digital system work in tandem.
"Once the planetariums are upgraded, visitors are treated to sharp, bright and a realistic star-field sky and digital immersive animations. The dome on to which images are projected will also be refurbished with clean painting and sound absorption material," said Science & Technology Secretary Vir Vikram Yadav.
Besides the new planetariums, the department is also organising digital mobile planetariums at Rayagada, Jharsuguda and Malkangiri.
The Pathani Samanta Planetarium (PSP), Bhubaneswar is attracting more than 1,50,000 visitors, 50 per cent of which are students. This planetarium is having an annual income of Rs 30 lakh. Now, the authorities have decided to instal a Nuclear Gallery to add to the attraction of the planetarium, said Yadav.