10-08-2025
Country's first Digistar 2025-backed planetarium opens in Pune
Dr Nanasaheb Upasani Planetarium at the Adarsh Shikshan Mandali's (ASM) Abhinava Primary School in Erandwane was opened to the public on Sunday. It was inaugurated by Arvind Paranjpye, director, Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai; Suresh Naik, Ex-Group Director, ISRO and other dignitaries on April 30.
Speaking at the event held on Sunday, Paranjpye said, 'After the Digital Planetariums started in 2003, there has been a lot of technological innovation. With the opening of ASM's project, a real sky-like immersive experience can be enjoyed by students and enthusiasts in the heart of Pune. Being aligned with NEP 2020, it will help create curiosity in children's minds and will help in research as well.'
'The planetarium comes with the latest technology and infrastructure for a theatrical experience with a 360-degree view. The projection system installed is Digistar 2025 from Evans and Sutherland, USA, the first of its kind in the country,' said Abhijit Shetye, director of Infovision Technology, which facilitated the installation.
The project is the brainchild of Sudheer Upsani, who intended to facilitate effective learning of astronomy and other topics from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), engagingly and interactively. And has a capacity of 50 seats.
'The project has multiple built-in programmes which can seamlessly access shows from ISRO, NASA and European Space agencies, use dome-casting for live programmes, and comes with an in-built show-building software,' Paranjpye added.
The initiative has been completed through a donation by Vidyalakshmi Foundation, a private trust run by the family members of the late educationist Dr Nanasaheb Upasani, the first president of ASM. Moreover, the school has included a Planetarium period to the weekly timetable for ASM students from classes 5 to 8 and has also established an astronomy club.
'A dedicated website will be launched shortly, containing essential information about dome-casting slots. And people will be able to book shows through the website on weekends,' said Rajashree Telkar from ASM.
