Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) to implement three telescopes and one planetarium projects

Key facts

• Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to establish and upgrade four major astronomy facilities.
• The projects include the National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), the National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope (NLOT), an upgrade to the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, and the Cosmos-2 planetarium.
• Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) director Prof Annapurni Subramaniam confirmed that IIA will implement all projects from its Bengaluru headquarters.
• The NLST will be located near Pangong Lake in Ladakh and will study the Sun’s magnetic fields and solar flares.
• The NLOT will be a 10-12 metre optical and infrared telescope planned for the Hanle region of Ladakh.
• The Himalayan Chandra Telescope, operational since 2000 in Hanle, will receive an upgrade under the Budget proposal.
• Cosmos-2, a planetarium and education centre, will be built in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, with digital projection and interactive exhibits.
• IIA has signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government for implementing Cosmos-2.
• IIA is completing Cosmos-1, an 8K resolution LED dome planetarium and research training centre in Mysuru, Karnataka.