School has become the first school in tricity to have set up a fixed digital planetarium at its school campus in Zirakpur.The Planetarium was inaugurated Dharam Vir (IAS), President, Society for Promotion of Science & Technology in India (SPSTI). Astronomy which is considered as the mother of all sciences, studies space which includes fascinating celestial objects. This exciting science is best learnt by use of ‘Planetariums’ which are large dome shaped projection screens onto which scenes of stars, planets and other celestial objects can be made to appear and move realistically to simulate the complex ‘motions in outer space’.
“Schools all over the country take their students on educational tours to these planetariums, which are by and large are operated by Government. It is therefore a matter of great pride for the tri-city that a school now boasts of this facility which will ignite interest in Astonomy among students & provide hands on learning environment.” Said Dharam Vir, President, SPSTI.Students of the school will get a feel of the pulsating stream of Astronomy, watch the night sky or simply train in celestial navigation. “In the School’s Planetarium, which has been set up with support of Inter University Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics (IUCCA), Pune, students will be able to watch celestial scenes & gain knowledge about space science, under the school’s practical oriented system of education. Dikshant International School has plans to give access to the unique facility to students of other schools, colleges, institutions.” Said Mitul Dikshit, Chairman, Dikshant International School.
It is noteworthy that the school has collaborated with Digitalis, a US based Company & a world leader in Digital Planetariums for a 5-metre fixed dome Planetarium. The dome has a seating capacity of 50 children. This has a gamut of advanced tech features – which include high-Definition projection with a capacity to boast 120,000 bright stars, zooming, built in audio system, automatic physical outline etc. What’s more, the Delta 3 Digitalis projection system with advanced proprietary Digitalis Fish Eye Lens which is used for superb digital projection quality, has been upgraded to the ‘New Generation Nightshade software ‘ & this has been made available exclusively for the Planetarium at Dikshant. Adds Mitul Dikshit, “Our students & of course students of even other schools of the region will not have to travel outstation to see a Planetarium. Ever since India’s Chanderyan mission to the moon and more recently the MOM to Mars, the interest level of the Nation in outer space has developed tremendously.”
Students will get an environment where they can enjoy a journey of exploration of space in a simulated setting. The Planetarium will fill the prevalent ‘gap of astronomy’ in the education system while motivating students to pursue science as a hobby & career. The course material — primarily films, will be tailored for each age group. Under this students will observe & identify stars, constellations, witness the night sky in different seasons etc.