China is building the world's largest planetarium in Shanghai and the facility is looking at a 2020 unveiling before it is officially opened to the public by 2021.
According to China Daily, the Shanghai Planetarium, with a total area of 38,164 square meters, is the world's largest yet. Drone photos of the infrastructure are going viral on the Internet, sparking interest among science and astronomy enthusiasts across the globe.
Home to the main building and a couple other annexes, the Shanghai Planetarium will feature observatories designated for star-gazers who have a deep love for observing the moon and other planets. With a big hole that allows light to enter the main hall, people coming into the facility will experience extraordinary figures of light that the cantilever creates.
The Shanghai Planetarium will also have a solar tower complete with optical devices that can provide viewers with a close look at high-definition sunspots and other astronomical movements. A youth camp site is also planned for the facility.
Designed to have three main forms, the oculus, the inverted dome, and sphere, the Shanghai Planetarium will allow guests to explore heavenly bodies through advanced tools in the site dubbed as the "Home." Another exhibition area called "Universe" will help visitors understand how the universe operates on the elements of life, time and space, light, and gravity.
More sentimental visitors can proceed to the "Journey" area where history and exploration are the main highlights.
So far, the exhibition areas have been finished but due to the creators' goal of installing highly-technological tools within the facility, it will take another year before the Shanghai Planetarium is completed.
Located about 90 kilometers away from downtown Shanghai, the planetarium is expected to solve issues that stargazers often encounter. These include haze, neon light reflections, and hovering skyscrapers. Because it is being built on the southeastern region of the Pudong New Area, night sky clarity is guaranteed.
Late last year, multiple outlets and blogs praised China's new astronomy-exclusive project. Shine News noted that the design, featuring a spiral exterior built and a central atrium, is stellar in many ways.
Thomas Wong, the chief designer who works at New York's Ennead, said of the design idea, "The designs were meant to connect people and experience to the actual astronomical phenomena."
Wong and his team are hoping that people will visit the Shanghai Planetarium in celebration of the Lunar New Year Festival. While it has yet to be opened to the public, there are high expectations for the world's biggest and most anticipated planetarium.
