Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO)

Indian Astronomical Observatory Latest News

Indian astronomers have successfully photographed the interstellar comet C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), also known as 3I/ATLAS, using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) of the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) at Hanle, Ladakh.

About Indian Astronomical Observatory 

• The Indian Astronomical Observatory, also known as the Hanle Observatory, is located in the Hanle Valley, Ladakh.
• It is situated at an altitude of 4500 metres above mean sea level to the north of Western Himalayas. 
• Inaugurated in 2001, the observatory is run by Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).
• The site is a dry, cold desert with sparse human population and the ancient Hanle monastery as its nearest neighbour. 
• The cloudless skies and low atmospheric water vapour make it one of the best sites in the world for optical, infrared, sub-millimetre, and millimetre wavelengths.
• 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.
• It also features a solar power plant, satellite-based communication systems, and a liquid nitrogen plant for cooling detectors.
• Hanle is also home to a unique Dark Sky Reserve designated by the International Dark-Sky Association. 
  • A Dark Sky Reserve is a designated area that aims to preserve and protect the quality of its night skies by minimising light pollution. 
  • Dark Sky Reserves are typically located in areas with exceptional natural darkness and starry skies. 
  • And Hanle, with less than 1000 people living in the village, is the perfect area.

Source: ETVB

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