A Bengaluru-based software engineer is working to turn the night skies of coastal Honnavar into a centre for experiential learning. Sandeep Hegde, originally from Honnavar, is building “Honatara,” a Rural Space Observatory & Education Centre aimed at making astronomy and STEM education accessible to rural students.
The project is being developed under the Honavar Foundation, where Hegde serves as a trustee. The name “Honatara” reflects its vision—‘Hon’ or ‘Honnu’ in Kannada means gold, linked to Honnavar, while ‘Tara’ in Sanskrit means star, together symbolising a “golden star.”
The initiative seeks to address the gap in STEM access between urban and rural areas. Hegde highlighted that while most observatories are located in cities, urban skies are often polluted, making stargazing difficult. In contrast, Honnavar offers clearer skies but lacks the required infrastructure.
Designed as a community science hub, the observatory will primarily serve government school students and anyone interested in astronomy. The facility will include an outdoor observation area for night-sky and solar viewing, along with hands-on demonstrations.
Infrastructure plans include telescopes on the ground floor for quick group sessions and a rooftop observatory featuring a motorised 360-degree rotating dome, advanced telescope mounts, controlled lighting, and lightning detectors. Basic amenities such as storage, utilities, drinking water, and sanitation facilities will ensure accessibility.
The project has already generated strong public interest. At a recent event आयोजित with the Bangalore Astronomical Society, nearly 800 people attended despite only 4 telescopes being available. “We had only 4 telescopes and had to manage 800 people. That clearly shows the level of curiosity,” Hegde said.
To meet growing demand, the observatory plans to add at least 10 more telescopes and appoint dedicated staff to guide visitors and manage activities.
While access will remain free for local government school students, the project also aims to sustain operations through astro-tourism. Honnavar’s appeal as a weekend destination could attract visitors for stargazing experiences, helping fund maintenance, staff salaries, and equipment.
Beyond astronomy, the Honatara team is also engaged in beach cleaning drives, sea turtle conservation, and educational outreach in local schools.
The foundation stone for the observatory was laid on Feb 22, with initial support from Vayavya Labs Private Limited. Experts are guiding technical development, and a Dobsonian telescope has already been procured.
The foundation is currently raising funds to complete the project by the end of 2026.
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