The last time I went to Nehru Planetarium I must have been eight years old. All I remember was the excitement of looking at a ceiling screen — a novelty in my time. The rest was what I made up in my head: a dais that moved, a dome that opened and a night sky that came alive.
The last time I went to Nehru Planetarium I must have been eight years old. All I remember was the excitement of looking at a ceiling screen — a novelty in my time. The rest was what I made up in my head: a dais that moved, a dome that opened and a night sky that came alive.
Here I was, decades later with my eight-and six-year-old, at Nehru Planetarium. The façade was the same. But inside, the canvas unfurled. Before the show opened, there was time to look at the exhibits: the surface of the Moon, the lonely terrain of the plane of Mars and the exciting cubby rooms where you know exactly how much you weigh on the Sun or any of the planets.
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<< It’s a joyride for space enthusiasts < For photo ops, get into a spacesuit for a picture of yourself on the Moon. It's a definite thrill. Pics/Datta Kumbhar
In the centre of the ground floor expanse is a miniature galaxy with the Sun at the centre. If you have school-going children who are learning about the Solar System, this is where you should start with — the whole picture: the Sun standing still and the different-sized planets moving in different paces around the Sun.
Children getting a closer look at the Moon’s surface
The magnificent displays of photographs of the Moon and of Mars are awe-inspiring. The expanse of the observable universe and its galaxies, and the space our galaxy occupies, gives perspective on many things. There are a number of installations too. The Moon’s surface and how the Earth looks from the Moon were our favourites.
The films screened at the planetarium’s sky theatre keep changing. When we dropped by, it was a show about stars. Despite the age of the auditorium, you’ll find that the metal seats are still more comfortable than the plush seating inside today’s swish multiplexes. The chair tilts up, the lights are dimmed and the show is on. This is the best way to teach children about the many galaxies that we are a part of.
The planetarium staff will take you through a compelling slideshow of the solar system that make for a fascinating treasure trove of information. This Worli landmark is a must-visit for adults and growing-up kids, to educate them on the wonders of stars, galactic mergers and what lies beyond the Earth that we live in. It’s a place to visit and revisit.
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