A new facility in Mysuru is set to bring astronomy closer to students, researchers and the public through advanced visual technology. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated COSMOS-Mysuru, India’s first LED Dome Planetarium, featuring an 8K-resolution LED dome.
Developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), the facility is among the world’s first planetariums to use an 8K LED dome. It marks a significant step forward in astronomy education and immersive scientific experiences in India.
Unlike conventional planetariums that rely on projection systems, the LED dome technology delivers high-resolution visuals across the entire dome. This allows audiences to explore the universe, celestial objects and astronomical phenomena through detailed and immersive presentations.
The facility also marks the culmination of a 3-year astronomy education and outreach initiative led by IIA across Mysuru and its surrounding rural areas. The programme was designed to address limited public engagement with astronomy and prepare local communities to make effective use of the planetarium.
Over the 3-year period, the institute organised more than 150 events, reaching over 40,000 participants from different communities. These activities included programmes in rural and urban schools, student and teacher workshops, public lectures, technical discussions and online sessions in both English and Kannada.
IIA also worked with local stakeholders and established networks to strengthen astronomy education across the district. As part of the outreach initiative, more than 60 radio programme episodes were broadcast in Kannada and English.
With COSMOS-Mysuru now operational, the institute plans to introduce a more structured programme of activities at its campus. These will include academic training workshops, data-analysis programmes and the use of the LED dome as a teaching resource to help students understand astronomical observations and scientific concepts.
The initiative aims to extend astronomy learning beyond traditional classrooms and encourage hands-on engagement with science.
Combining advanced display technology with an established education network, COSMOS-Mysuru is expected to become an important centre for astronomy learning, scientific engagement and public understanding of the universe.
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