In Context
- According to a recent study, the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) is becoming one of the promising observatory sites globally.
              Image Courtesy: TH
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- According to the Department of Science and Technology, this is due to its advantages of:Â
- Clear nights
- Minimal light pollution
- Background aerosol concentration
- Extremely dry atmospheric conditionÂ
- Uninterrupted monsoon
- The research analysed Eight observatories
- Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Hanle, Merak (Ladakh) and Devasthal (Nainital) in India,Â
- Ali Observatory in the Tibet Autonomous Region in China
- South African Large Telescope in South Africa
- University of Tokyo Atacama ObservatoryÂ
- Paranal in Chile
- National Astronomical Observatory in Mexico.
About Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO)
- It is located in Hanle near Leh in Ladakh and has one of the world’s highest located sites for optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes.
- It is operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore.
- It is currently the ninth highest optical telescope in the world, situated at an elevation of 4,500 meters (14,764 ft).
- The Indian Astronomical Observatory stands on Mt. Saraswati, Hanle in south-eastern Ladakh union territory.
- The Observatory has two active telescopes.
- These are the 2.01 meter optical-infrared Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) and,
- a High Altitude Gamma Ray Telescope (HAGAR).
- It is becoming one of the globally promising observatory sites, reveals a recent study.
Source: TH
