Mangaluru: Come November, people will have a close view of how the Moon’s surface looks like and will also be able to get a feel of the way asteroids strike. The virtual images to be screened at the new 3D planetarium, which is coming up at the Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama here, will give a new experience of viewing the galaxy.

Mangaluru South MLA J.R. Lobo, who was a former executive director of Nisargadhama, said that the work on the 3D planetarium will be completed in October this year. The facility will become operational in November.

Being constructed by the State government at a cost of Rs. 35.69 crore, this facility will be the first 3D active digital hybrid planetarium in the country.

With optical projector and 8K Resolution Digistar System, the scenes projected on the dome will give a realistic feel of the constellation of stars, planets and other activities in the galaxy to viewers who will be provided with active stereo 3D glasses, said K.V. Rao, Director of Pilikula Regional Science Centre.

Mr. Rao said that seats in the auditorium are being arranged in a way that the viewers will be able to get an immersive experience of the activities in the galaxy.

“You can feel the way asteroids strike. You also experience the way satellites are launched,” Mr. Rao said.

Mr. Lobo said that the physical structure of the planetarium was ready. An U.S.-based firm was now preparing the dome based on the specifications provided by the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka.

This dome was likely to be shipped to Mangaluru in September. Orders have been placed for other components of the planetarium.

Mr. Lobo said that staff, including the director, scientific officers and education officers, will be appointed for the new planetarium.

A nominal cost will be charged for 2D and 3D shows, he said.