B.M. Birla Planetarium Sky Observation and Amateur Astronomy Programmes
Certificate on course completion
B.M. Birla Planetarium Sky Observation and Amateur Astronomy Programmes is a program by B.M. Birla Science Centre for children aged 4 to 100, open to students across India. Enrollment stays open through the year, so your child can join anytime.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
₹2,500
Duration
Year-round programme: observatory viewing every evening from sunset to 8:00 PM, planetarium shows of 35 to 40 minutes, and a seven-day weekend astronomy course.
Format
Individual
Time needed
A single evening visit for sky observation or a show; the seven-day astronomy course needs two hours on Saturdays and two hours on Sundays.
Key dates
- Enrollment
- Open all year
B.M. Birla Planetarium, Hyderabad, Telangana
About this opportunity
The B.M. Birla Science Centre runs a year-round astronomy programme built around telescope viewing at the G P Birla Observatory, full-dome planetarium sky shows and hands-on workshops that teach students how to read the night sky.
The observatory is open to the public every evening from sunset until 8:00 PM, subject to sky conditions, with a C11 telescope donated by the Uranoscope of Paris trained on the Moon, the planets and deep sky objects such as the Orion Nebula in winter. On full moon nights each month the centre brings out additional telescopes for free public viewing and holds an astronomy talk at 7:30 PM in an adjoining classroom.
Alongside the observatory, the planetarium runs a 35 to 40 minute full-dome show in English, Hindi and Telugu, and the centre holds short science workshops in which children build sundials, planispheres, refractor telescopes and spectroscopes and take them home. Solar observation sessions are run with supplied safety equipment during solstice and zero shadow day activities.
A separate seven-day Introductory Course on Amateur Astronomy, taught across weekends and closing with a participant project, is restricted by the centre to participants aged 18 and above. Certificates are issued for the workshops and for the course.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 4 to 100 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
No prior science background or previous astronomy experience is required.
Open to visitors aged four and above; children below four are not admitted to planetarium sky shows. Observatory sky observation and the Sunday science workshops are open to everyone with no stated age limit. Summer Science Workshop batches were run for ages 6 to 13. The seven-day Introductory Course on Amateur Astronomy is restricted to participants aged 18 and above. No prior science background is required and there is no residency restriction.
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Academic details
Difficulty: Introductory
What's covered
Covers constellation identification, celestial coordinate systems, the motion of the Sun, Moon and planets, telescope optics and mounts, and the light spectrum, with hands-on instrument building and telescope sessions.
Rewards and recognition
Certificate
Certificate on course completion
Certificates are awarded on successful completion of the seven-day Introductory Course on Amateur Astronomy, and e-certificates are issued to every participant of the science workshops.
Skills your child builds
Languages
What your child will do
- Telescope viewing of the Moon, planets and deep sky objects
- Free full moon night viewing with an astronomy talk
- Full-dome planetarium show on the history of the universe
- Building sundials, planispheres, refractor telescopes and spectroscopes
- Safe solar observation on solstice and zero shadow days
Mentors & faculty
Sessions are led by the centre's scientific officers and planetarium staff, with guest experts for the astronomy course discussions.
How to apply
- 1Buy a planetarium or combo ticket at the centre reception
- 2Walk in to the observatory between sunset and 8:00 PM for telescope viewing
- 3Register online through the Google form linked on the course page when a batch is announced
- 4Pay the course or workshop fee by QR code or online banking after batch confirmation
- 5Schools book group visits by calling the centre booking line
Fees & financial support
Fee details
Tickets and programme fees are charged separately. Planetarium entry is Rs 200 for general visitors and Rs 125 per student for school groups of 50 or more; a planetarium plus science museum combo is Rs 300 and a planetarium, science museum and art gallery jumbo ticket is Rs 375, paid at the centre reception. Telescope viewing at the G P Birla Observatory, including the monthly full moon session, is free of charge. The seven-day Introductory Course on Amateur Astronomy is Rs 2,500, paid by QR code or online banking after batch confirmation, and covers the telescope sessions, the planetarium constellations show and the certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child join B.M. Birla Planetarium Sky Observation and Amateur Astronomy Programmes anytime?
Yes. Enrollment stays open through the year. Your child can join at any time.
Is B.M. Birla Planetarium Sky Observation and Amateur Astronomy Programmes free?
No. The registration fee is ₹2,500.
Who can participate in B.M. Birla Planetarium Sky Observation and Amateur Astronomy Programmes?
Children aged 4 to 100.
What will my child gain from B.M. Birla Planetarium Sky Observation and Amateur Astronomy Programmes?
Telescope viewing of the Moon, planets and deep sky objects at the G P Birla Observatory. Free public viewing with extra telescopes on full moon nights, with an astronomy talk. Full-dome planetarium show in English, Hindi and Telugu. Hands-on builds students take home: sundials, planispheres, refractor telescopes and spectroscopes. Certificate on completing a workshop or the seven-day amateur astronomy course.
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