Planetarium in India Features ZEISS Technology

A modern hybrid system that delivers visual instruction and inspiration

Jena/Germany, Ranchi/India | 10 October 2019 | Planetariums

On 4 October 2019, Chief Minister of the Indian state of Jharkhand, Raghubar Das, inaugurated a new planetarium in the state capital Ranchi. ZEISS equipped the dome theater, which measures 15 meters in diameter, with hybrid planetarium technology comprising a ZEISS SKYMASTER ZKP 4 opto-mechanical planetarium projector and a digital dome projection system. Five high-resolution laser projectors deliver the video images, while the joint controls developed by ZEISS for both projection systems enable the dynamic overlaps of didactic image information and the brilliant artificial night sky achieved by the ZEISS ZKP 4. LED light sources ensure a clear night sky that can otherwise only be viewed high up in the mountains. This is an ideal way to inspire visitors to find out more about astronomy and the natural sciences. The ZEISS video projection system generates a dome image that measures 80 square meters and can present impressive astronomical and other content.

“We are delighted to be able to equip another planetarium in India with state-of-the-art technology from ZEISS,” says Martin Kraus, Head of ZEISS Planetariums. “In India, people attach great value to education. It’s a way of investing in the nation’s future. Today’s planetarium visitors include future Indian scientists as well as astronauts and leaders.”

ZEISS designed and planned the technical features of the new planetarium in collaboration with Indian company Orbit Animate. It also supplied the projection dome, sound technology and the dome effect lighting.

The planetarium was built by the Jharkhand Council on Science and Technology and was named after Varahamihira, a 6th century Indian astronomer, philosopher and mathematician. More than 1,000 people visited the planetarium on the day it opened. “This was my first visit to a planetarium. It was incredible – I felt like I could fly through the universe and walk on other planets,” says Suman Kumari, one of the first visitors.

The daily shows in the Varahamihira Planetarium are dedicated to a variety of popular scientific topics.

The new Varahamihira Planetarium in Ranchi (India).
The new Varahamihira Planetarium in Ranchi (India).
Press Contact

Gudrun Vogel
Planetariums
Phone: +49 3641 64-2770
gudrun .vogel @zeiss .com

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling more than 5.8 billion euros in its four segments Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (status: 30 September 2018).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future far beyond the optics and optoelectronics industries. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership.

With approximately 30,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in almost 50 countries with around 60 of its own sales and service companies, more than 30 production sites and around 25 development sites. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

Press Contact

Gudrun Vogel
Planetariums
Phone: +49 3641 64-2770
gudrun .vogel @zeiss .com

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The new Varahamihira Planetarium in Ranchi (India).
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