Indira Gandhi Planetarium,Lucknow

Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Lucknow

"The Saturn shaped building of the planetarium is unique of its kind."
The Indira Gandhi Planetarium which is a novel attraction of the Lucknow city is located at the banks of Gomti River. It is named after former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi.The planetarium reveals the wonderland and beauty of Astronomy.
The foundation stone of this beautiful building of Saturn shape was laid on 28th Feb., 1988 by the chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Hon. Late Veer Bahadur Singh. Indira Gandhi Planetarium was inaugurated on 8th May, 2003 by the Hon. Chief Minister of UP Ms. Mayawati. From 9th May 2003 Planetarium has been opened for public.

Structure

The Indira Gandhi Planetarium building is in unique Saturn shape with its five rings. The 21 meter diameter spherical building of the planetarium rest on platform, which is especially designed to give an idea of crater formation on celestial bodies. The platform is surrounded by waterpool with fountains.The ground floor of the planetarium building has a space gallery with some models and charts of Indian satellites. Main auditorium of 15 meter diameter is on the first floor.The Capacity:- 168 seats.

The planetarium is fully air-conditioned and boasts of a state-of-the-art projection system,which allows special effects at the time of projection. It consists of Model G-1518 with 13 panorama scenes projector along with a number of special effect projectors from Goto Optical Ltd. which is based in Japan.

Other noteworthy facilities available at this beautiful building include:

• Digital sound
• Art-projecting system
• Lift-ramp for handicapped people

Objective

The Government of Uttar Pradesh has established a Planetarium at Lucknow with following objective: 

1. To provide basic information on different aspects of astronomy through planetarium shows exhibits

2. To popularise Science.  

3. To establish the amateur club and provide guidance to amateur astronomer and interested students. 

4. To arrange astronomical exhibition, quiz and art competitions for children and common men.

5. To become a centre of information in the field of Astronomical research and latest developments.

The Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Lucknow a novel attraction of the city is situated at the bank of river Gomti. Planetarium reveals the wonderland of Astronomy. Staggering distances from outer space are eliminated. Here one can virtually touch the stars, Journey through Jungles of Stars and see many other celestial events in a matter of minutes that in reality take months, years or million of years to happen.