India’s Astronomical Observatory’s Emergence as a Global Leader
One of the notable astronomical research centres worldwide, the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), is making waves in the science community. Located near Leh in Ladakh, at Hanle, this establishment has recently come into the limelight due to the promising features it offers to scientists and researchers.
IAO’s Key Attributes
The IAO is distinguished for its location—one of the highest globally—ideal for optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes. The Hanle site, where the IAO is situated, boasts conditions as dry as the Atacama Desert in Chile, even surpassing Devasthal in Uttarakhand’s dryness.
This site experiences about 270 clear nights annually, becoming an emerging hub for infrared and sub-mm optical astronomy. This is mainly due to the low levels of water vapour that absorbs and weakens electromagnetic signals.
The conditions available at the Hanle site include clear nights, minimal light pollution, low aerosol concentration, extremely dry atmospheric conditions, and an uninterrupted monsoon. These necessary conditions allow astronomers to construct massive telescopes and plan future observatories while tracking their variation over time.
Other Prominent Observatories
While the IAO shines brightly, several other notable observatories make significant contributions to the field of astronomy. These include the Merak observatories in Ladakh and Devasthal in Nainital. Internationally, sites like Ali Observatory in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, the South African Large Telescope, University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory, and Paranal in Chile, and Mexico’s National Astronomical Observatory are noteworthy.
About the Trans-Himalayan Region
Located north of the Great Himalayas resides the Trans-Himalayan Mountain Region or Tibet Himalayan Region. This range encompasses the Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar, and Kailash mountain ranges.
This region is also known as the Tibet Himalayan Region as a significant segment of these ranges lies within Tibet. As an eastward continuation of the northernmost Himalayas, this area spans approximately 600 miles long and 140 miles wide in its centre, reducing to a 20-mile width at both ends.
The Trans-Himalayan Region consists primarily of granites and volcanic rocks from the Neogene and Paleogene ages, contributing to its unique geological composition.
The prominence of India’s Astronomical Observatory emerges largely due to its strategic position in the dry, clear-skied environment of Hanle, Ladakh. Its success opens up new possibilities for astronomical research and discoveries, not only in India but across the globe.
