Here is a spoiler alert for sky-gazers: the next time you rush to Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium to catch a comet, you may get a restricted view. Or even worse, no view at all depending on the time of the event.
A high-rise building near the planetarium is already making sightings in the sky difficult. The planetarium staff fears losing the view of the western sky forever in a few months.
Lost opportunity
On Monday, when Bengalureans got an opportunity to watch the Transit of Mercury through the Sun after 13 years, volunteers struggled as an under-construction multi-storey building near Chalukya Circle blocked the view every time they steered the telescopes to the west.
“Until it was built, we didn't know how tall it would be. At present, it is just a physical block. In future, due to light pollution, we may never get a view of the western sky,” said a senior official of the planetarium.
What the official means is that the building, once functional, will have lights, which will automatically dim the view of the sky.
Though the planetarium’s primary activity — educating visitors by creating an artificial sky inside — will not be impacted, they are worried about other celestial events, which involve viewing the natural sky.
Can’t look west
“Comets, for example, come from the outer solar system towards the sun and go back. That is the path they follow. They are sighted mostly when the sun sets or in the morning. With the western view blocked, people will lose the opportunity to view the phenomenon in the evenings,” the official explained.
Officials have not registered a formal complaint, but say the builders could help them by using dimmer lightings. “We are situated in the heart of the city. So we cannot really stop the development around,” they said.
