The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is located in the heart of the city of Bangalore at Sir. T. Chowdaiah Road. It contains the Science Park and the Science Centre. The most popular show in the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium that pulls lakhs of visitors round the year is the Sky Theatre. Sky Theatre includes use of different visuals such as computer animations, cartoon special-effects, and video clippings. The planetarium has a total capacity of 210 seats.
Many educational activities and experiments on rocket launch, atmospheric pressure, and speedometer are held for the benefit of students. The classes are conducted on weekends from 10:30 in the morning till 4:30 in the evening. Short educational programmes and courses are undertaken using informal methods during summer vacations. Different programmes like Tiny Tots, BASE Camp, computer-aided Learning, one-day workshop for school students, and From Web of Life to Universe are conducted, aimed at students of different levels, starting from class III till graduation. Special workshops are also conducted for physically challenged students.
History and Architecture
In 1989 the Bangalore City Corporation founded the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium. From 1992 the Bangalore Association for Science Education (BASE), an autonomous body registered under Karnataka Societies' Registration Act, has taken the responsibility to manage the planetarium. Principally it is supported by the annual grants given by the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of Karnataka.
The dome of the planetarium has diametre of 15 metres. The planetarium projector is Space Master, a German Carl Zeiss. With the help of this projector one can see the night sky on the dome of the planetarium. The constellations are also projected through this projector. It is used for teaching astronomy as well as for conducting shows.
The science Park surrounding the Planetarium displays models of Sun Dial, Resonant Swings, Whispering Dishes, the D.N.A, a PSLV rocket, and a giant kaleidoscope. A lot can be learnt about science while exploring these models. The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium at Bangalore is also the house of an independent association called the Association of Bangalore Amateur Astronomers (ABAA). Every Sunday at 6:00 p.m the members of the association meet and exchange ideas, get involved in different activities like telescope building, night-sky watching, among others. Shivanahalli, a place 35 km from Bangalore, is their favourite destination for observing the night sky. The ABAA members have a 12-inch telescope installed for the purpose.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium also conducts exhibition of educational posters for those interested in astronomical education. The posters in the exhibition hall of the planetarium include photographs, paintings, quotations and cartoons related to the subject. Sculptures, paintings and pictures of the galaxies are also displayed. Other items are a science kiosk donated by the company IBM, and a weighing scale that can display the weight of a person on any planet. A printout of the weight can also be taken. You can buy photos, books, science models and kits, telescopes and various other things in a stall that is housed inside the exhibition hall.
Special educational programs like Know Your Stars are conducted every month on the first Sunday. A lecture session on the simulated sky that night, identification of the constellations, stars and other celestial bodies is given, followed by a star-watching session. Amateur astronomers are inducted for manning the telescopes. This session is conducted in the Sky Theatre.
There are certain rules which must be followed while visiting the planetarium. No food or water can be carried inside. Mobile phones, laser pointers, disco lights and toys emitting such lights are prohibited. Also, visitors are not allowed to touch the exhibits on display.
Advance booking and e-ticketing facilities are available. Individual membership and school membership facility is provided by the planetarium club. The members enjoy certain privileges such as discounts, email notifications, academic support for schools, and limited use of the planetarium library.
Entry fee for person above 16 years is Rs. 25
Entry fees for person below 16 years is Rs. 10
Children below 3 years are not allowed.
Entry is free for the physically challenged, and wheelchair can be availed by contacting the security.
Location and how to reach
Located at T. Chowdiah Road in the heart of the city, this place is only 2 km from the railway station. Buses from different routes ply this area. Cabs can be hired to reach this popular spot. The city of Bangalore can be approached from any metro cities by rail or air. Many international flights also come directly to Bangalore city. The city is quite approachable by road and rail from many places in South India.
Last Updated on : 26/10/2013