Striking development brings universe to earth
Print Edition
FANS of astronomy, or just the plain curious, will have chance to look through a real astronomical telescope, have a close look of precious meteorites and camp under the sky to enjoy the beautiful stars at the new Shanghai Planetarium, which started construction yesterday.
What will be the world’s biggest planetarium, located in the Lingang area of Pudong, consists of a main building, a solar tower, a youth observation base and a public observatory in order to promote knowledge of astronomy and allow visitors to learn by more interesting and interactive methods.
At a cost of 528 million yuan (US$80 million), the planetarium will open to the public in 2020.
The planetarium uses a strikingly unique design to be in line with its theme — looking very much like a model of a solar system.
The elliptical building typifies orbital motion of celestial bodies and the outside sidewalks are placed in circles and expanded from the main building to the entire park. The whole design of the building makes itself into an astronomical instrument which can tell time and direction.
All the project’s systems are green and intelligent, including solar energy and rainwater collection and purification, said officials from the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, which manages the planetarium.
“Connecting humans and the universe is the exhibition theme of our planetarium,” said Lin Qing, director of the planetarium’s exhibition department.
Visitors will enjoy the panorama of the solar system and our galaxy, learn cosmic structure and theory and the history of human space exploration. There are also special areas to exhibit Chinese astronomy,” Lin said.
He said all the design, exhibition style and content and mass media technologies will be in line with leading planetariums in developed countries. In addition to ordinary exhibition areas, the planetarium also offers summer camping for children to observe the sky and stars overnight, officials said.
“It is not made as a textbook, but as a good experience for our visitors to explore space,” Lin said.
During construction, the planetarium will be collecting astronomical relics and other historic items from the public and Gu Qingsheng, vice director of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum appealed for contributions.
“We can buy items at a reasonable price, or people can make donations,” Gu said.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
