Birla Planetarium, Kolkata

The M.P. Birla Planetarium in Kolkata (Calcutta) is considered as the second largest planetarium of its kind. It was opened for the public in the year 1962. The approximate amount required for the construction of this highly defined Planetarium was around two million rupees.

This Planetarium is an asset of Modern Kolkata. There are 500 seats arranged in the Planetarium. This circular structured building is single storeyed and was constructed in pure Indian architectural style. The Planetarium which resembles a Buddhist Stupa is a theatre with a dome shaped screen on to which scenes of the stars, planets and other celestial objects can be projected to provide a realistic view of the universe.

Precision-engineered star balls, optically and electronically generated images and slide projectors, video and laser technology all go into the projection of images on the dome screen. In this Planetarium the solar system is introduced in English, Bengali and Hindi.