Ladakh’s Hanle gets world’s highest imaging observatory

MUMBAI: On Oct 4, day of the dawn of the space age with the launch of Sputnik in 1957, India inaugurated Asia's largest and world's highest imaging observatory at Hanle, Ladakh.
Inaugurated by Ajit Kumar Mohanty, department of atomic energy (DAE) secretary and chairman of atomic energy commission, the observatory was built by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in collaboration with Electronic Corporation of India Limited and other Indian industry partners.
According to DAE, the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment Observatory (MACE) will play a major role in development of Indian astrophysics and cosmic ray research.
Situated at an altitude of 4,300m, "the telescope will observe high-energy gamma rays, contributing to global efforts to understand the most energetic phenomena in the universe, like supernovae, black holes and gamma ray bursts", says DAE.
This facility will also complement global observatories, strengthening India's position in the field of what is known as "multi-messenger" astronomy, it adds. The project aims at fostering international collaboration, advancing India's contributions to space research and bolstering India's position in global scientific community.
Mohanty said it will pave the way for a deeper understanding of universe's most energetic events. He emphasised that MACE will play a role not only in advancing scientific research, but also in supporting socio-economic development of Ladakh.