Trans-Himalayan region among promising astronomical sites worldwide: Study

Ministry of Science and Techlogy, in its latest report, has revealed that Indian Astromical Observatory (IAO) located at Hanle near Leh in Ladakh is becoming one of promising observatory sites globally. enthusiasts and primarily scientists are constantly searching for ideal locations worldwide from where y can carry out astromical studies. As per ministry, it recorded this higher influx of astromers based on assimilation and observation of data extending over 41 years.

Factors causing  influx

According to press release by ministry, factors like a higher number of clear nights, minimal light pollution, background aerosol concentration, extremely dry atmospheric condition, and less interruption by monsoon has attracted crowd. Such conditions are considered crucial for astromers to build huge telescopes and plan for future observatories and predict how y will vary with time. As per release, research was led by Dr Shantikumar Singh Ningombam of Bengaluru’s IIA along with scientists from Nainital’s ARIES, Department of Science & Techlogy, Government of India, and collaborators from South Korea and even US. researchers analysed data that spanned 41 years, including 21 years of satellite data. Besides, y also carried out a detailed study of nighttime cloud cover fraction over eight high altitude observatories, including three in India.

ministry revealed that eight sites included IAO’s Hanle and Merak observatories in Ladakh, Devasthal in Nainital, Ali Observatory in Tibet Automous Region in China, South African Large Telescope in South Africa, University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory and Paranal in Chile, and Mexico’s National Astromical Observatory. findings suggested that Hanle site has around 270 clear nights in a year and is also one of emerging sites for infrared and sub-mm optical astromy despite being as dry as Atacama Desert in Chile and much drier than Devasthal.

Moreover, y found that IAO-Hanle, and Ali observatories, are similar to each or in terms of clear night skies as both are located only around 80 km from each or. Chile’s Paranal won in terms of clear skies with approximately 87% of clear nights in a year. Revelations from satellite data at different time resolutions also showed that cloud cover fraction for Hanle, Merak, and Devasthal in India and Ali in China were 66-75%, 51-68%, 61-78%, and 61-75%. Studies of meteorological parameters like se would be highly beneficial for IIA as it is planning on several mega-science projects such as National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) of 2-meter aperture and National Large Optical Telescope (NLOT) of 8-10 meter aperture at Merak and Hanle, said ministry.

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