Show Schedule:
- Hindi Shows: 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm
- Bengali Shows: 3 pm and 5 pm
- English Shows: 1 pm and 6 pm
The M P Birla Planetarium is a landmark in the city of Kolkata. It started functioning in 1962 and was dedicated to the nation by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in July 1963. When it was inaugurated, the M P Birla Planetarium was the first public Planetarium in Asia and second in the commonwealth after London.
After 52 years of successful operations during which more than 25 million people visited, it was decided to upgrade the entire projection system to make it at par with the world`s best facilities and hence an extensive renovation project was undertaken. It now has the latest Carl Zeiss Hybrid Projection System with the optomechanical projector capable of simulating the night sky accurately and nine state-of-the-art full-dome high-resolution digital projectors to create an immersive impression of the Cosmos. The planetarium also houses an attractive Exhibition Gallery, an Informative Circular Corridor, a Souvenir Shop named AstroCorner, and other facilities.
Apart from public astronomical shows, the M P Birla Planetarium also conducts various courses on Astronomy and Planetarium Sciences in its Seminar Hall and Classrooms. Due to research activities in different branches of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Sciences, Cosmology and Celestial events carried out at the Planetarium by the faculty members and also because of its tremendous efforts in popularization of Astronomy among students, the M P Birla Institute of Fundamental Research under whose aegis the Planetarium functions has been recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research of the Government of India as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO).
Current Shows:
1. Explore: Have you ever wondered how a spacecraft can navigate accurately to a space station travelling at 20 times the speed of sound?
Explore presents a broad selection of science topics in a modern and accessible way, in a story that revolves around the ambition to colonise Mars– a topic at the forefront of current trends in space adventure films for the giant screen.
The film does not just explain scientific facts, such as the geo- vs heliocentric model or retrograde motion of planets. By closely examining the example of Johannes Kepler and his three laws of planetary motions, “Explore” also shows how the achievements of individuals can change the world, and how much we all benefit from them. High-quality visuals, custom-composed music, and professional narration all serve a single purpose: to enhance the audience’s immersive experience.
2. Cosmic Collisions: A thrilling virtual reality experience in the M. P. Birla Planetarium, Cosmic Collisions launches visitors on an awe-inspiring trip through space and time to explore the hypersonic impacts that drive the dynamic and continuing evolution of the universe.
Viewers will witness collisions, past, present, and future, including the creation of our Moon some five billion years ago, a re-creation of the meteorite impact that hastened the end of the age of dinosaurs 65 million years ago, and a nail biting future scenario where humanity desperately attempts to divert the path of an oncoming asteroid on a collision course with earth!
Event Venue
M P Birla Planetarium: Kolkata, 96, Cathedral Road, Near Victoria Memorial, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071, India
INR 150
