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Treat for the eyes: Science City adopts cutting-edge 3D digital projection system for Space Theatre

Kolkata: The Space Theatre at Science City, Kolkata on Monday switched over from a 2D celluloid-based film

projection system to a 3D digital projection system, as part of a major upgradation in tune with the technological advancement taking place around the world.

"The upgraded facility will provide an immersive experience and the viewers will feel as if they are being transported into the scenes that are being viewed and the objects in projection will appear close enough to touch. Carl Zeiss AG, Germany was commissioned to renovate the Space Theatre," said Subhabrata Chaudhuri, director, Science City.

"A 'power dome', which is an active 3D fulldome system with particularly high resolution, has been installed for the first time in India inside a 23 metre diameter tilted dome. Zeiss is also responsible for the state-of-the-art LED dome lighting, surround sound system and seating arrangements," Chaudhuri added.

The full dome 3D Digital Theatre was inaugurated by Dr Mahesh Sharma, Union minister of Culture, through teleconferencing at Science City. The entire project has been funded by the Ministry of Culture with a total cost of around Rs 20 crore.

A D Choudhury, director general, National Council of Science Museums of which Science City is a constituent unit, said: "This system is capable of screening high resolution, fulldome digital 2D and 3D content and planetarium shows by utilising six high-end special projectors with an effective screen resolution."

Fulldome films will be shown primarily on a wide variety of topics ranging from astronomy and geoscience to other natural sciences. 2D and 3D films will be screened in the facility, with a seating capacity of 360 persons per show.

The ticket rates for the general visitors would be Rs 100 for 2D show and Rs 120 for 3D show. A combo rate for both 2D and 3D shows will be Rs 180.

Established in 1997, the Space Theatre at Science City, one of its most popular attractions, was the first of its kind facility in India that attracted a footfall of 70,72,694 during its operation spanning around two decades.

The first film that was screened at the theatre was Serengeti, which documents the journey of more than two million wild beasts, zebras and antelopes over 500 miles across the Serengeti plains in Tanzania.

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