All About India's Highest Astronomical Observatory

By: NDTVNewsDesk Image: X/@cbdhage [{ "selector": ".gdokc-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".xgzbx-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".wdpwl-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

The highest astronomical observatory in India is the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), located in Hanle, Ladakh.

Image: X/@cbdhage [{ "selector": ".dnpiz-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".wuook-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 433px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".ilsmp-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

It sits at an altitude of 4500 meters (approximately 14,764 feet) above sea level.

Image: X/@cbdhage [{ "selector": ".cjkrt-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".xdppu-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 461px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".iform-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

The IAO is operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and is known for its excellent atmospheric conditions.

Image: X/@cbdhage [{ "selector": ".jtbzn-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".fspqr-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 426px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".xnmcw-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

The location and atmospheric conditions make it ideal for optical and infrared observations.

Image: X/@cbdhage [{ "selector": ".guwqi-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".jigbf-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 461px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".ijjlx-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

It houses a 2-meter aperture Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT), which is remotely operated from the Centre for Research and Education in Science and Technology (CREST) in Bengaluru.

Image: X/@cbdhage [{ "selector": ".auijp-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".gmame-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 374px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".kjwer-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

It focuses on optical and infrared astronomy, with ongoing research on transient objects, gamma-ray radiation, and infrared light from deep space.

Image: X/@811GK [{ "selector": ".imsac-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".zafte-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 399px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".tslxl-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

It also features a solar power plant, satellite-based communication systems, and a liquid nitrogen plant for cooling detectors.

Image: X/@811GK [{ "selector": ".iczgz-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".jzgzl-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 426px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".xmrbn-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

The IAO is not only crucial for scientific research but also plays a role in promoting astronomy and space science in India.

Image: X/@811GK [{ "selector": ".ztfbo-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".wqimn-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 438px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".cadan-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Check More Stories

[{ "selector": ".wismc-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }] ndtv.com