Haryana Government will upgrade Kalpana Chawla Memorial Planetarium at Kurukshetra with the latest technology and would also provide online ticket booking facility for Planetarium shows.
The Haryana Principal Secretary, Science and Technology, Sumita Misra on Monday said that with new explorations in the field of science and technology, it has become necessary to keep the planetarium infrastructure up to date so as to provide the masses with the latest information.
The process for renovation of the exhibition gallery has also been initiated, she added.
In November 1997, Kalpana Chawla became the first Indian woman to venture into space during NASA mission. It was a proud moment for the nation but especially for the State as she belonged to city of Karnal.
She again went to space during NASA mission but unfortunately could not return as the space shuttle Columbia crashed during the return journey to Earth, said Mishra.
She said that in her memory, Kalpana Chawla Memorial Planetarium was set up at Kurukshetra at total cost of Rs 6.50 crore shared by both Haryana Government and Central Government on 50:50 basis.
Set up in July 2007, the Planetarium is acting as an educational aid in the field of astronomy for the general masses and students in particular. Every year, on an average 1.15 lakh visitors visit planetarium which also includes students and tourists from other states, she added.
Giving details of the shows, she said that full dome planetarium shows with 360° display are shown on hemispherical screen with digital projection system. The seating capacity inside the planetarium is 118. Fifty per cent discount is allowed to the student groups on entry tickets. Two shows of 25 minutes each titled “Oasis in Space” and “Astronaut” are shown to visitors on alternate timings.
Mishra said that an exhibition gallery has also been set up which consists of interactive exhibits based on astronomy.