New Observatory in West Bengal to Advance Astrophysics Research in India: Ministry of Science
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New Delhi, Jan 13 (NationPress) A new observatory launched by the S N Bose Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBCBS), an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology, in West Bengal, is poised to significantly enhance the scientific examination of astronomical objects in India, as stated by the Ministry of Science and Technology on Monday.
The observatory, located on Panchet Hill in the Garpanchakot region of Purulia district, West Bengal, will also serve as a platform for training students in telescope operation and data recording, fostering both national and international collaborations in astronomical research, and most crucially, addressing the longitudinal gap.
“Perched at an elevation of 600 meters above sea level and approximately 86 degrees East longitude, this observatory is set to become a prominent facility not just in eastern India, but also globally,” remarked the Ministry, highlighting its role in bridging the gap between the Arctic Ocean to the north and Antarctica to the south.
Noted astrophysicist and Vice Chancellor of Ashoka University believes that “the Panchet observatory is strategically located.”
The S.N. Bose Centre has entered into an MoU with the Sidhu Kanu Birsa University to jointly manage the observatory and share resources.
“This marks a significant achievement, as the Centre is poised to make meaningful contributions to the field of observational astronomy,” stated Dr. Tanusri Saha-Dasgupta, Director of the S.N. Bose Centre, during the virtual inauguration at SKB University.
“An observatory cultivates its own ecosystem, and the Panchet observatory is expected to do the same,” noted Viswajit Sahay, Financial Adviser of the Department of Science and Technology.
The land for this observatory was officially acquired in 2018, with its design and development spearheaded by Dr. Ramkrishna Das, Dr. Soumen Mandal, and Dr. Tapas Baug from the Department of Astrophysics at SNBNCBS.
Their efforts included site characterization, assessment of astronomical seeing and weather conditions, along with the installation of a 14-inch telescope for scientific observations.
