Spitz A1 projector of 1954
Activities of the Planetarium
The planetarium of the New English School is functioning under the aegis of Deccan Education Society, Pune. The regular activities of the planetarium are managed, nowadays, by an Assistant Teacher of the school, who is supported by an assistant, an administrator and a peon. During last three years some 300 shows were held, which were witnessed by more than 20,000 school students from Pune and adjoining localities. General visitors are welcomed to the shows on Independence Day and other select holidays. The planetarium conducts a certificate course on ‘Fundamentals of Astronomy’ for 8th standard school students. Planetarium show in progress Stories of constellations
Kusumbai Motichand Planetarium is believed to be the oldest school planetarium in Asia, which has not lost its attraction even after its operation for more than sixty years.
Kusumbai Motichand Planetarium, New English School, Tilak Road, 486, Sadashiv Peth, Pune - 411030, Maharashtra. …show more content…
For the planetarium, the dome structure was decided on 6 meters diameter where 40 people could sit and enjoy a show. Meanwhile, in 1956, UNESCO had a General Conference in Delhi. A large ‘India and Science’ exhibition was set up to coincide with the session of the conference along with two UNESCO travelling science exhibitions titled ‘Energy and Its Transformation’ and ‘Our Senses and the Knowledge of the World’. Participating in the exhibition was leading planetarium manufacturer, Carl Zeiss who donated a planetarium instrument, model ZKP1 manufactured by them in Germany to Indian Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who passed it on to NPL to Sir Krishnan, who in turn passed it on to Subramanian for installing it in the NPL