The new Shanghai Planetarium is getting closer to starting operations. [Photo/IC]

The Shanghai Planetarium – located in the Lin-gang Special Area in East China's Shanghai – is set to start trial operations in June.

When completed, it will be the biggest of its kind, boasting a floor space of 38,164 square meters.

Construction began in November 2016 and 90 percent of the work – including preset exhibition preparations – has been completed. At present, the light and sound effects are being tested.

The planetarium is designed as a giant astronomical instrument that can track time based on changes in the light and shadows. It can also display China's solar terms created by the ancient Chinese, based on the changes in the sun's position.

The museum will offer unprecedented experiences backed by AI, AR and VR technology and introduce visitors to cutting-edge research.

The planetarium has collected specimens from 70 meteorites from the moon, as well as other planets including Mars. It also will display more than 120 pieces of astronomical artifacts, including original publications from legendary scientists including Sir Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler, as well as celestial atlases.