PM Modi to Inaugurate India’s First LED Dome Planetarium in Mysuru

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium in Karnataka on November 13, marking the opening of India’s first LED Dome planetarium.

Built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, the facility has been developed as an astronomy education and training centre on the University of Mysore campus at the foothills of Chamundi Hills.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the planetarium at around 4 PM during his visit to Karnataka.

15-Metre LED Dome With 4.2 Crore LEDs

The COSMOS Mysuru Planetarium features a 15-metre tilted dome made up of around 6,150 LED panels containing approximately 4.2 crore individual LEDs.

Unlike conventional planetariums that project images onto a passive dome, the COSMOS facility uses LED panels that can be controlled directly in real time.

This allows astronomical images and simulations to be displayed across the dome itself, creating a highly immersive viewing experience.

8K Resolution Planetarium Technology

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics says the facility uses 8K-resolution LED dome technology.

Because the images are produced directly by the LEDs rather than conventional projection systems, the technology is designed to offer improved contrast and visual clarity.

IIA describes the project as the world’s first independent 8K-resolution LED dome planetarium.

₹5 Crore Support From Nirmala Sitharaman’s MPLADS

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman contributed ₹5 crore through her MPLADS funds towards the COSMOS project.

She had also laid the foundation stone for the project in March 2022.

IIA records show that the wider facility has also received support from central science agencies, including the Department of Science and Technology and Department of Atomic Energy.

Sky Theatre to Host Astronomy Shows

A major component of the centre is its Sky Theatre, which will showcase professionally produced astronomy programmes.

The facility will also screen an in-house film exploring the historical relationship between Mysuru and astronomy.

Shows will be available in:

• Kannada

• English

• Hindi

The multilingual format is intended to make astronomy more accessible to students and the wider public.

Museum, Exhibition Halls and Training Centre

COSMOS-Mysuru has been designed as more than a conventional planetarium.

The centre will also include:

• Exhibition halls

• Astronomy models and artefacts

• A museum

• Lecture facilities

• A training centre

• Interactive outdoor exhibits

These facilities are intended to support astronomy education, public outreach and scientific training.

Focus on Students and Astronomy Education

The COSMOS Mysuru Planetarium is designed to serve students, teachers, researchers and members of the public.

IIA says one of the project's objectives is to encourage interest in astronomy and STEM subjects while providing training opportunities for science teachers and students.

The centre also aims to allow students to create and programme their own shows for the LED dome.

Research Into Mysuru’s Astronomy Heritage

The project has also been documenting the history of astronomy in the Mysuru region.

IIA has undertaken work to identify, digitise and catalogue historical astronomy material in Kannada, including manuscripts and other records from the former Mysore region.

The initiative includes translating and preserving astronomy-related material for future research.

Located at Foot of Chamundi Hills

The planetarium is located at the University of Mysore campus near Chamundi Hills.

The project is being implemented through an agreement between the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and the University of Mysore, with IIA serving as the nodal institution responsible for the facility.

Part of PM Modi’s Karnataka Visit

The inauguration will form part of Prime Minister Modi’s Karnataka programme on November 13.

Before reaching the planetarium, Modi is scheduled to participate in a tree-plantation programme at Bharat Vann in Mysuru at around 3:30 PM.

He is then expected to inaugurate COSMOS-Mysuru at approximately 4 PM and address the gathering.

Major Step for Planetarium Technology in India

The opening of the COSMOS Mysuru Planetarium introduces a new generation of digital planetarium technology to India.

By replacing conventional projection equipment with a directly controlled LED dome, the facility is expected to offer new possibilities for astronomy visualisation, education, scientific outreach and data presentation.

The centre will also complement IIA’s wider astronomy research, telescope operations and national outreach activities.