MoU for upgradation of Pathani Samanta planetarium | Bhubaneswar News

Bhubaneswar: An MoU was signed on Thursday for major upgradation and modernisation of Pathani Samanta planetarium here with the aim of developing it into a world-class facility to strengthen astronomy education and expand science outreach across Odisha.The MoU was signed here between the department of science and technology and the Birla Industrial & Technology Museum (BITM), Kolkata, a unit of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) under the ministry of culture.The Pathani Samanta Planetarium, under the department of science and technology, has been a key institution in popularising science, astronomy, astrophysics and space science in the state.Named after Odisha’s renowned astronomer Maha Mahopadhyay Chandrasekhar Singh Harichandan Mahapatra Samanta, popularly known as Pathani Samanta, the planetarium was opened to the public on Jan 8, 1990. Since then, it has expanded its activities and promoted scientific curiosity among students and the public.At present, the planetarium screens shows daily in Odia, English and Hindi, except on Mondays.