Executive Summary: Ranchi is the capital of the north-east Indian state of Jharkhand. Having the literacy rate of 77%, it is well-known for its education system. To keep with the tradition of a prospering educated city, in 2010,
Jharkhand Council on Science & Technology (JCST) planned to develop a composite project of Science Centre-cum-Planetarium. The purpose behind the development of this science centre was to popularise science, especially among the students and youths.
JCST expressed keen interest to enhance the facilities of already existing science centre and approached
Creative Museum Designers (CMD) with request to provide consultancy in developing a comprehensive plan for upgradation of this science centre. Therefore, CMD has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) containing the complete blue print of the development of the Planetarium including required civil construction and other necessary infrastructural facilities.
Visitors’ facilities & Infrastructural facilities of the project: This DPR, developed through mutual discussion and collaboration, proposes to set up the following facilities:
- Planetarium - 15m. Dome area
- Astronomy Gallery
- Interactive exhibition on astronomy and space science
- Activity area for students on astronomy
- Sky observation through a GPS-enabled telescope
- Amateur Astronomy Club
- Office
- Maintenance workshop
- Show development room
- Toilets
- Ticket counter etc.
Conclusion: A planetarium is a facility to simulate the motions of the sky and the planets. The mission of a planetarium is to report about the latest status of research in the field of astronomy and astrophysics. As such, a planetarium opens the curtain to unveil the space before our eyes. So, we hope, the establishment of this planetarium in Ranchi will be highly appreciated by the growing number of visitors and satisfy the curiosity and increasing need for students as the latest and upgraded educational facilities can be made available to them.
