Katara, Petroleum Development Oman join hands to build planetarium

Katara-the Cultural Village has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoU) with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to establish a planetarium and the first observatory "of its kind" in Qatar, it has been announced.

The signing of agreement was led by Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti and PDO's external affairs executive director, Abdulamir al-Ajmi.“This MoU is a significant step in the co-operation, exchange of experiences, workshops and training between the two parties in the astronomy field,” Dr al-Sulaiti said. “The new Katara project, the planetarium and the observatory, reflects Katara's interest in astronomy and recognition of the significance of this branch of science, which has been mastered by our ancestors,” he noted.Dr al-Sulaiti added that it is part of Katara's role to raise astronomical awareness and spread knowledge about the wonders of the space and universe. “Three years ago, Katara chose this branch of science as a theme for its events and activities as a part of its grand annual festival held during Ramadan,” he stressed.Al-Ajmi thanked Katara for its keenness to enhance a fruitful relationship by establishing a "valuable educational and entertainment tool – a dome". He said establishing an astronomical dome would raise understanding about the wonders of our universe and attract local and foreign tourists.The MoU will also train some employees from Katara on relevant aspects regarding the facility in Oman. In 2000, PDO built Oman’s first planetarium as an annex to the Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre as a gift to the Omani nation. The planetarium is suitable for both children and adults and teaches them about astronomy in an engaging way. It gives children the opportunity to develop their minds and foster an interest in modern science.