Planetarium to be built in Lingang New City

Shanghai plans to build its first planetarium in Lingang New City in the southeastern corner of Pudong New Area, local media reported Thursday.

The planetarium, which is a 90-minute drive from People's Square in the center of downtown, is especially suited to stargazing due to its natural environment and low light pollution, according to a report in the Laodong Daily.

When people think about stargazing in Shanghai, many think of the Shanghai Sheshan Astronomical Observatory in Songjiang district, which regularly holds activities for residents who want to observe the heavens. However, the creeping light from the city prevents star gazers from fully appreciating the night sky, according to the report. They had to constantly change venues for a better view of the stars.

The municipal government announced Wednesday that the planetarium would be built in Lingang New City. Some people thought Oriental Land in Qingpu district and Pujiang Town in Minhang district were also on the shortlist of sites.

Besides offering residents a place to observe the stars, the planetarium will also serve to promote astronomy, said Wang Xue, a staff member at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.