Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru
Mysuru, Nov 13: Mysuru has added a major scientific and educational landmark with the inauguration of COSMOS-Mysuru, India's first 8K-resolution LED dome planetarium.
Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state-of-the-art facility has been developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and is among the world's first planetariums to feature an 8K-resolution LED dome.
The advanced facility is expected to transform how students, researchers and the general public experience astronomy by offering immersive visualisations of the universe, celestial objects and astronomical phenomena.
Unlike conventional planetariums that typically rely on projection systems, the LED dome technology delivers high-resolution visuals across the entire dome, enabling audiences to explore complex astronomical concepts through immersive presentations. The technology is expected to make astronomy more engaging and accessible while offering new possibilities for scientific learning and public outreach.
Three-year initiative to build astronomy culture in Mysuru
Beyond its advanced technology, COSMOS-Mysuru represents the culmination of a sustained three-year astronomy education and outreach initiative undertaken by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics across Mysuru city and the surrounding rural district.
Recognising the relatively limited engagement with astronomy in the region, the institute launched a comprehensive programme to generate awareness, encourage scientific curiosity and prepare communities to make effective use of the facility.
Over the three-year period, more than 150 individual events were organised, reaching over 40,000 participants across diverse communities. The programmes covered rural and urban schools, student and teacher workshops, public lectures, technical discussions and online sessions conducted in both English and Kannada.
The institute also established collaborations with local stakeholders and developed networks to strengthen astronomy education across the district, ensuring that the benefits of the initiative extended beyond the immediate reach of the planetarium.
An accompanying radio programme further expanded the outreach, with more than 60 episodes broadcast in Kannada and English, bringing astronomy-related knowledge and discussions to a wider audience.
Beyond planetarium shows: Focus on academic learning
With the facility now opening up new possibilities, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics plans to move towards a more structured programme of academic and educational activities based at the campus.
These initiatives will include academic training workshops, data-analysis programmes and the use of the LED dome as an educational tool to help students understand astronomical observations and scientific concepts.
The aim is to take astronomy education beyond conventional classroom teaching and create opportunities for immersive, practical and hands-on learning. The advanced display system will provide a platform for explaining complex scientific phenomena and helping students develop a deeper understanding of the universe.
With its cutting-edge display technology, three-year outreach foundation and established network of educational collaborations, COSMOS-Mysuru is expected to emerge as an important centre for astronomy education, scientific engagement and public understanding of the universe.
The facility also marks a significant step towards building a stronger culture of scientific curiosity and astronomy awareness, particularly among students and young learners, while positioning Mysuru as an important destination for astronomy education and outreach.