Digital Mobile Planetarium programme launched

The Digital Mobile Planetarium, which brings an immersive astronomy experience directly to school campuses through custom-built vehicles equipped with a 5-metre dome, 360-degree fish-eye projection, air-conditioning and advanced audio systems, has been launched.

The initiative has been conceived to bridge the rural–urban gap in access to planetarium learning, enabling students to explore the universe from their own school premises.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who launched the initiative on November 26, said it had already reached over 17 lakh students.

Terming it a significant achievement in democratising access to astronomy, he said, “Our aim is to spark scientific curiosity in rural children and bring high-quality science education closer to them.”

Minister for Science and Technology N.S. Boseraju said the programme has been infused with upgraded technology.

He added that while the mobile planetariums currently operate in a limited number of districts, the government is preparing to scale the initiative across all districts in Karnataka in the coming months.

“We are committed to ensuring that every child, irrespective of geography, receives exposure to modern science,” he said.