Astrophysics is one of the few subjects India has been trying to master for quite some time. With its inception heavily rooted in this sub-continent, it is only fair that this country still lives up to that reputation, helping Science-based organizations across India.
Recently, to help with this, the Government recently formed the new Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).
It is supposed to be a leading institute that is used for the sole purpose of research in the fields of astrophysics, related physics, and astronomy. The origins of the same can date back to at least 200 years before, during 1786. An observatory was built in the same year, near madras which became functional after 1792 at its Nungambakkam facility. Called Madras Observatory, it was later shifted to Kodaikanal in 1899. However, almost a century later, in the year 1971, this observatory became autonomous and known as the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.
Two years prior to it becoming an autonomous entity, the headquarters got shifted to Bengaluru to its present campus near Koramangala in the year 1975. However, the primary observing facilities are still located at Kavalur, Kodaikanal, Hanle, and Gauribidanaur. Further, in this blog, you will find a small explanation of each of these observing facilities.
The Four Observing Facilities
Looked over by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the Indian Government, these observatory centres have proven to be of heavy importance in the last few decades. As the director, Prof. Annapurni Subramanian has made several new developments to these four locations as well.
On seeking information, you will learn that the Kodaikanal observatory is the oldest. It has been there for more than a century now and is deemed to be the main centre of activity when it comes to observational atmospheric and solar physics.
In addition to the Indian STI Observatory, the Bengaluru campus also has an extensive computer centre, library and physics laboratories.
On the other hand, Kavalur holds the Vainu Bappu Observatory, which is also quite old and deemed important in several types of research during the 1960s.
This observatory is mainly used as an optical observatory for the institute, helping with night-time astronomy. This observatory has quite a few telescopes, the main one being a 2.34-metre Vainu Bappu Telescope.
A few miles away, you will find the Gauribidanaur Radio observatory. This one hosts a Decametre Wave Radio Telescope, along with a radio heliograph.
Quite far away from all three, there is the high altitude, newly made Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), locate in Hanle. Hanle is a small village near the south-eastern part of Ladakh. This observatory has made quite a few astronomical readings easier and more achievable for the industry.
It hosts a well-known 2 metre Himalayan Chandra Telescope, which got installed recently in the year 2001. In addition to that, you will also find a seven-unit High Altitude Gamma Ray telescope here.
All such features actively support and help the space programs as well as astronomical development programs. You can learn more on the official India Science Technology and Innovation Portal.
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