Astronomy gallery to be opened in Kozhikode on June 14

Explore the state-of-the-art astronomy gallery at the Regional Science Centre and Planetarium in Kozhikode inaugurated by Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas.

Minister for Tourism and Public Works P.A. Mohamed Riyas will inaugurate the state-of-the-art astronomy gallery at the Regional Science Centre and Planetarium in Kozhikode on Saturday (June 14, 2025).

The gallery built at a cost of around ₹1.5 crore is intended to help people of all ages know the science of astronomy up close as well as entertain them. The interactive gallery has been built encompassing basic discoveries in astronomy over the years that changed the way humans think. Astronomy has answered questions such as the possibility of life in the sun, moon and other planets, what exactly the stars are, the science behind day, night, months, years, seasons, directions and galaxies. The gallery offers an insight into all these phenomena.

Rather than just an exhibition, the gallery offers a deep and attractive learning experience to visitors through multimedia equipment. The visitors can experience the change from ancient astronomy to the present one.

The first display that the visitors come across is a review of the contributions of the ancient scholars such as Aristotle, Ptolemy, Arya Bhatta, Bhaskara, and Copernicus. An animated model of the Grand Equatorial Sundial designed by Maharaja Savai Jai Singh of Jaipur, a life-size statue of Galileo Galilei observing the sky through a telescope, the evolution of telescopes, models of the solar system and various celestial objects beyond it and 3D videos of the same are part of the gallery.

The Big-Bang Theory is being presented on a video wall. The gravity level of each planet in the Solar system is demonstrated in one of the booths. There are also interactive kiosks on advanced topics such as Multi-wavelength astronomy, Exoplanets, Astrobiology and Einstein’s Spacetime Curve. There are scale models of the Hubble Space Telescope, its repair mission and the James Webb Telescope.

Mayor Beena Philip will preside over the inaugural event to be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday.