In this image, taken by ESO Photo Ambassador Yuri Beletsky, the control building at the Paranal Observatory can be seen below a rising Milky Way, like the proverbial pot of gold at the end of a celestial rainbow. This building is a hub for the observatory’s operations, and it is from here that the Very Large Telescope (VLT), the VLT interferometer (VLTI), the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) and VLT Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) are controlled and maintained. The team of astronomers, telescope and instrument operators, and engineers is on site 24 hours a day to to run these telescopes and to keep them in top condition. The control building is located on a “shelf” below the main observing platform at the top of the Paranal Mountain. All functions of the four Unit Telescopes (UTs), the four Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs), the two survey telescopes are controlled from their own areas within the central control room, via a gigantic series of computers. However, managing the observations is not just a matter of pointing the telescope towards an astronomical target — continuous monitoring of the telescope status is required, as well as making adjustments to the instruments before taking exposures to optimise their function. It is also necessary to transfer and store the large amounts of data generated, as well as check the quality of the incoming results. Not even the incredible view outside the window is enough to prevent the team from working hard to maintain Paranal’s reputation as one of the world’s most productive and powerful ground-based observatories.
Tourism & Travel

Ladakh will soon be home to ‘India’s first Dark Sky Reserve’

Jun 18, 2022 | 12:02 AM
Jatin

A section of the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in Hanle, Ladakh, is scheduled to become the country’s first Dark Sky Reserve. The site will also encourage astronomical tourism, which will improve local tourism by leveraging science.
Ladakh, as a frigid desert environment, has a lot of potential for continuous astronomical observations.

The Indian Astronomical Observatory complex, maintained by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, already has optical, gamma ray, and infrared telescopes at a height of 4,500 metres. Stars, galaxies, exoplanets, and the development of our universe are all studied with these telescopes.

Hanle is immaculate for most of the year due to the dry weather, is cloudless at night, and has dark skies, making it an ideal natural setting for stargazing.

On Thursday, representatives from the IIA, the Ladakh Union Territory administration, and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council entered a tripartite agreement. R K Mathur, Lieutenant General of Ladakh, Dr Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of IIA, and Jamyang Namgyal, MP of Ladakh were present at the signing ceremony.

Once the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR) is established, the administration, local council members, and scientists will work together to protect the night sky from unwanted light pollution and illumination, which is a serious threat to scientific observations and natural sky conditions and is becoming a global threat.

The HDSR will encompass a 22-kilometer radius centred on the Hanle observatory. Following the designation as an HDSR, both residents and visitors will be required to follow restrictions governing outdoor illumination, the use of high-beam car headlights, light shields and curtains, and other measures aimed at reducing light pollution.

The HDSR intends to engage the Ladakhi population in promoting astro-tourism activities, primarily among students. Nearby villages will receive telescopes, and students will be taught how to use them. The HDSR authorities also intend to provide training on identifying native flora and wildlife that are peculiar to Ladakh. 

Featured Image: Wikimedia Commons

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