Hyderabad, Aug 19: In an initiative to encourage students in astronomical studies IIT (Indian Institute of Technology),
Hyderabad has launched its first astronomical observatory with a large telescope at their Kandi Campus. The 14 inch telescope has an optical mirror of 355 mm and focal length of 1,650 mm. It will help in early learning of astronomical
observations and also will provide high resolution images of new discoveries in the sky. Small craters on the moon’s surface and rings of Saturn can be seen in high resolution. There is an advanced digital camera which will record images and happenings in the sky, like meteor showers.
The telescope will be used for training programmes like night sky observations for students. Through their astronomy club activities like training programs on stargazing, and observing astronomical happenings will be conducted for students from schools and colleges. This will help in instilling interest for astronomical research among students.
