| Abstract : | Around March of 1919, Walther Bauersfeld, the chief design engineer of Carl Zeiss, conceived a devise for projection of celestial objects within the confines of a darkened room. This visionary concept came to life on October 21, 1923, when Prof. Bauersfeld unveiled the projector at a congress.
Over the years, this invention evolved, incorporating slide projectors, special effect projectors, Imax dome film technology, laserium, digital projection, and their various hybrid versions. It transformed into a captivating and immersive educational tool for the masses, enriching minds with the wonders of astronomy.
Despite geographical barriers, this coveted invention took nearly three-quarters of a century to reach Calicut, a city steeped in rich heritage in Kerala. On January 30, 1997, the RSC & Planetarium, Calicut, was inaugurated housing the RFP DP2 Space flight projector from Carl Zeiss.
In any given population, beliefs are constantly shaped by exposure, experiences, cultural influences, rationality and other psychological traits. Our planetarium tailors its shows to cater to various audiences, including school children as well as younger kids and the culturally diverse public. We offer a wide range of astronomical activities, from sky observations, seminars, astronomy-based workshops, observatory visits, and short- and long-term astronomy courses, astrophotography sessions, astro drama, telescope-making sessions, roadside astronomy, messier marathons, eclipse and occultation watch events, and meteor shower astronomy among others. Furthermore, the planetarium actively conducts exhibitions in schools and engineering institutions, featuring an array of astronomy exhibits, desktop models, charts, slide shows, panels, and more.
Over the years, RSCP Calicut has designed and developed experimental setups for undergraduate and postgraduate final year students to collect data, conduct analyses, and arrive at concrete conclusions.
In this presentation, I will emphasize the profound impact of this center on cultivating awareness and understanding of astronomy within the local community and neighborhood.
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