American expert team at the Priyadarshini Planetarium to install Astrotech dome.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Modernizing the Priyadarshini Planetarium in the city with the commissioning of the latest Hybrid Planetarium Projection System (HPPS) will be delayed further. Now, a two-member technical expert team from the US is at the Priyadarshini Planetarium to install the new 17-meter diameter seamless Astrotech dome.
"Earlier, it was expected to complete the works at the Planetarium for commissioning the latest HPPS by this April end, but the delay in obtaining the consignment, then changing the initial plan of construction with a revised plan, getting it approved had all taken time.For the first time we are working on such a project, the efforts involved in constructing a new structure involves many constraints and it takes its pace. At this juncture it is tough to say by when the new HPPS will be commissioned," Kerala State Science and Technology Museum director Arul Jerald Prakash told TOI.
The Astrotech dome though manufactured by the Germans is designed by the Americans. So the US experts are here to supervise the installation of the new dome with its nine channel digital system. The two-member US team is working with five-member Indian team for long hours to complete the dome installation works. Installing the dome involves erecting it with supportive beams, tightening and fixing it and that work is expected to be completed by May 6, he said.
Then the Germans will be here by June first week to install the Starmaster Opto-mechanical projector and 10 digital projects here with fiber optics, LED lighting, computers and controllers, he said. Then tilted seating arrangements will be fitted, it will be followed by fixing projectors, floor carpeting and modernization of the air-conditioned facility at the Planetarium.
Though the opening of the new Planetarium will take more time, it is the first of its kind Stairmaster Planetarium modeled on German Carl Zeiss with the latest HPPS in the country with 17-metre tilted dome, elevated and ergonomic seating arrangement and will offer the best visual treat," he said. The new Astrotech dome, fiber optic-mechanical digital projection system and other equipment from German industry had incurred Rs 12.54 crore.
The Planetarium authorities had sought more funds including an additional Rs 5 crore fund from the government for installing the 3D projection system with a set of projectors, computers and controllers and are awaiting the approval.
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