An autonomous Indian astronomical research institute at Manora Peak near Nainital, Uttarakhand, founded on 20 April 1954 as the Uttar Pradesh State Observatory and reconstituted as ARIES, an autonomous body under India's Department of Science and Technology, in 2004. The institute studies astronomy, solar physics, astrophysics and atmospheric science from a site chosen for roughly 200 clear nights a year, and its flagship instrument, the 3.6-meter Devasthal Optical Telescope, was remotely inaugurated by the prime ministers of India and Belgium in March 2016.
Facts
Observatory Typeautonomous astronomical research institute 2 LocationManora Peak, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India, altitude 1951 meters 1 Measuresvisual observations of comets, asteroids and double stars 1 Classification
Observing Band FAQs
Why was the observatory moved from Varanasi to Manora Peak?
It moved because observing conditions at Varanasi were poor and a site survey picked Manora Peak.
The observatory began in Varanasi, but poor observing conditions there were the main reason a site survey was carried out at Nainital, Mussoorie and Dehradun. Manora Peak, near Nainital, was chosen as the most prospective site. In November 1955 the Uttar Pradesh State Observatory was shifted from Varanasi to a small cottage at Debi Lodge in Nainital, and it later moved up to Manora Peak.
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Sources
1. ARIES Nainital History
History, relocation to Manora Peak
moved to Manora Peak (longitude 79o 27' E, latitude 29o 22' N, altitude 1951 meters), south-west of Nainital and situated at a distance of 9 km from the Nainital town.
History, founding date
the Observatory started functioning in the premises of the Govt. Sanskrit College...Varanasi on April 20, 1954.
History, early research program
visual observations of comets, asteroids and double stars with the help of the 25-cm refractor
History, refractor telescope clause
visual observations of comets, asteroids and double stars with the help of the 25-cm refractor
View the Source2. ARIES | Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences
About ARIESQuote, About ARIES
An Autonomous Institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (Wikipedia)
In Group: Optical Observatories of Asia and the Middle East, Lead sentenceQuote, In Group: Optical Observatories of Asia and the Middle East, Lead sentence
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) is a research institute in Nainital, Uttarakhand, India which specializes in astronomy, solar physics, astrophysics and atmospheric science.
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