Modi inaugurates India's first LED dome planetarium, Cosmos Mysuru, at Mysuru University

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated Cosmos Mysuru Planetarium, described as India's first LED dome planetarium. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Governor Sudha Yadav, Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and Mysuru-Kodagu BJP MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar were among the dignitaries present.

Mr Modi said India had taken an important step in astronomy education and planetarium technology. According to him, visitors to the planetarium, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, will get a unique experience of space.

The planetarium has been built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA). The Prime Minister cut a ribbon at the entrance of the building to open the centre.

After the inauguration, Ms Sitharaman explained the features of the planetarium to the Prime Minister. Mr Modi toured the whole centre and then went to the Sky Theatre, where he watched an astronomy programme with the other dignitaries. He also spoke to experts, astronomers and space scientists who had come from Ladakh.

Cosmos Mysuru stands on the Mysuru University campus, below the Chamundi Hills. It is envisaged as a centre for astronomy education and training. The planetarium has a 15-metre tilted dome fitted with about 6,150 panels, which together use 4.2 crore LEDs.

The centre's technology differs from that of traditional planetariums. Its LED panels can be controlled in real time, so views of the sky can be shown more effectively. The technology will be used to make astronomy education more engaging and experience-based.

The Sky Theatre will screen professionally produced astronomy programmes. A film on the link between Mysuru's history and astronomy will also be shown. The programmes will be available in three languages: Kannada, English and Hindi.

The centre will also have an exhibition hall, a museum of astronomy-related models and artefacts, a lecture auditorium, a training centre and an interactive outdoor exhibition.

Cosmos Mysuru will also support the research work of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. The centre will be used in operating multi-wavelength telescope facilities across the country and in space, in developing future astronomical facilities, and in national-level public outreach programmes.