Birla Science Centre to turn 50 this July

Adarsh Nagar: This July, the Birla Science Centre would be celebrating its golden jubilee and the authorities have lined up a series of events to mark the occasion.

A rock museum is being planned where rocks from all over India will be exhibited. The centre has become synonymous with space exploration. Its Director B G Sidharth says, "In August a Digital Planetarium, 'Digi Star,' where digitalised and 3D images of astronomical objects will be shown. It will be a wonderful experience and double the experience with the already existing conventional planetarium."

Around 15 million students are expected to visit the centre under a special school programme which offers 50% concession and a free 3D show. A rock museum is being planned where rocks from all over India will be exhibited. There will also be summer camps and special classes and one day workshops on astronomy this summer.

"To say that NASA has sent something to Mars is different from saying that Mangalyaan has been sent to the Mars. Involvement of India encourages the students," observes Dr Sidharth, and adds, "A number of seminars are being planned for the 2019 and in the coming years. 'Physics 2019' will attract a good number of scientists from India and around the word and they will deliver lectures."

In January, 'Winter School of Astronomy' in collaboration with Canadian universities is conducting a four- day workshop. Using a projector to take students into the world of space is gaining ground.

The Science Museum containing the Interactive Science Section, Nobel Gallery, IEEE, Archaeology & Doll Museum and Dinosaurian, showcases the history and the new developing technology in the world.

Here the students can discover the magic of science. 3D universe, G P Birla Observatory, Nirmala Birla Gallery, and GP Birla Library. It is a place to visit depths of the oceans or the edge of the universe, to enjoy the beauty of modern art and gain knowledge about art, history and literature – a great mix for knowledge lovers.

Dr Sidharth, author of 'The Universe of Fluctuation: The Architect of Spacetime and the Universe,' had worked on the concept of black energy. He is working on a project called superluminosity, nature of space-time where he says that space-time is not a smooth fabric.

It it is non-commutative, according to which the starting point and the ending point of the object is not the same, which can lead to some consequences that it is possible to travel faster than time "which may allow us to time-travel within limits. This may all seem like a sci-fi movie, but it is all done after a lot of research. This is work in progress and these will be brought out in several books and one is already under preparation in nova science in New York."

Few know that the model proposed by Nobel winners on observational findings in 2011 was predicted by Dr Sidharth way back in 1997 in a paper presented in Jerusalem. He says, "I was the first to point out the new shift in paradigm on solid theoretical grounds.

I said that driven by dark energy, the universe would be accelerating. However, any theory needs observational and experimental verification. The model proposed by Nobel winners was based on observational findings."

DO YOU KNOW?

Few know that the model proposed by Nobel winners on observational findings in 2011 was predicted by Dr Sidharth way back in 1997 in a paper presented in Jerusalem.

He says, "I was the first to point out the new shift in paradigm on solid theoretical grounds. I said that driven by dark energy, the universe would be accelerating. However, any theory needs observational and experimental verification. The model proposed by Nobel winners was based on observational findings."

Know the Science centre

The Science Center is divided into three sections: BM Birla Planetarium, BM Science Museum, and GP Birla Center. Each section presentS an amazing set of exhibits, each dedicated to a specialized field. If space is something that interests you, then Planetarium is the best place for you, with sky show in three different languages, an incredible voyage through the universe.

The B M Birla Science Museum is a unique facility which includes an Interactive Science Museum, Archaeology and Dolls Museum, Nobel Gallery, Antarctica Diorama, Dvaraka Diorama, NRSA, IEEE and Dinosaurium. It showcases India's own achievements in science.

At GP Birla Centre, the roof houses the Astronomical Observatory. Amateurs and interested persons could use the Observatory and see for themselves the marvels of the Universe. It has a very sophisticated compact telescope

The BM Birla Science Center is one of the most prestigious institutions in the country for the dissemination of science and has several innovations programmes in the popularisation of science and formal and non-formal education and research. It is recognized both as an institute of heigher education and for R&D.

By Maina Manga