Patna: Igniting young minds with the wonders of the cosmos, a new ‘Astro Park’ is set to transform the Indira Gandhi Science Complex, commonly known as planetarium, into a vibrant hub where science comes alive through play and discovery. This innovative outdoor space will make complex scientific concepts fun and accessible for children, turning what often feels difficult in books into exciting, hands-on experiences.The park will feature 11 interactive science models being fabricated and installed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Kolkata. Two of these — the ‘Human Sundial’ and the ‘Vertical Sundial’ — have already been installed, with the rest expected to arrive from Kolkata and be set up soon.Experts said that in the Human Sundial, children themselves become part of the exhibit by standing at marked positions according to the date, and their shadow then acts as the pointer to tell the time, helping them understand how the Earth’s rotation and tilt create day and night in a lively, personal way. Nearby, the Vertical Sundial demonstrates how the sun’s position can be used to tell time accurately through carefully angled surfaces and shadows.Shiv Shankar Sahay, nodal officer of the project, said the Astro Park is being developed in the open park area in front of the guest house. “Civil work, including basement preparation, has been completed for installation of all the exhibits. Equipment for exhibits is being imported from Kolkata. Models will be constructed using rods, steel, fibre, and other suitable materials depending on their design. The entire project, costing Rs 32 lakh, started six months ago and is expected to be completed in another three months,” he said.Apart from the Human Sundial and Vertical Sundial, equatorial and interactive sundial exhibits will also be installed. Other exhibits being prepared include a display on ‘Our Astronomers’, featuring photographs and contributions of scientists along with quiz questions, and an interactive model explaining ‘Kepler’s Laws’, where children can rotate elliptical paths and measure equal areas swept by planets.‘Light and Spectrum Analyser’, ‘Our Solar System’, a ‘Gravity Well’ that visually shows how massive objects bend space and light, and ‘Stars and Distance’ and ‘Zodiac Circle’, highlighting constellations and star patterns and the basis for astrological sun signs, are among the other exhibits.Sahay said the park will offer an engaging space where families can spend quality time together while children explore scientific concepts through hands-on experiences.The planetarium has recently undergone a major revamp, with the installation of an advanced dome screen with 3D 8K laser projection and an interactive Space and Astronomy Gallery on the first floor, along with other facilities such as a cafeteria. Additionally, a mobile Science Bus was launched earlier to take science to remote villages free of cost.