India’s first LED dome planetarium inaugurated at COSMOS-Mysuru in Karnataka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium in Mysuru, Karnataka, on 13 November 2026. Built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, it is situated on the University of Mysore campus at the foothills of Chamundi Hills. The facility is India's first LED dome planetarium and is intended to support astronomy education and training.

The Sky Theatre features a tilted dome measuring 15 metres, composed of around 6,150 panels with about 4.2 crore individual LEDs. The technology allows the panels to be controlled in real time. This differs from a conventional arrangement in which projectors cast images onto a passive dome. Astronomy programmes will be presented in Kannada, English and Hindi, including an in-house film connecting Mysuru's history with astronomy. The centre also includes exhibition halls, a museum of astronomy models and artefacts, a lecture hall, a training centre and interactive outdoor exhibits. The inauguration concerns a public science-education facility. It should not be confused with the commissioning of a telescope observatory or the launch of a spacecraft.

Facts to remember

• Inauguration: 13 November 2026; city: Mysuru, Karnataka.
• Developer: Indian Institute of Astrophysics; site: University of Mysore campus.
• Dome: 15 metres, tilted; around 6,150 panels and about 4.2 crore LEDs.
• Programme languages: Kannada, English and Hindi; focus: astronomy education and training.

Background

A planetarium uses visual presentations to explain the sky and astronomical phenomena. In this facility, the dome itself acts as an electronic display. Its exhibitions and training spaces extend the educational role beyond a single theatre show, linking immersive presentation with models, discussion and practical learning.

Why it matters for exams

For CLAT Science, connect the institution, location and LED-display technology, and distinguish science communication infrastructure from a research observatory or space mission.