Eye On The Sky

The universe is a pretty big place. If it’s just us, seems like an awful waste of space.

Space, the boundless three-dimensional extent, the vastness of which cannot be judged with a measuring quantity, limitless yet fascinating. Earth revolves constantly around the sun. Moon revolves constan9tly around the Earth andStargazing is one such constant thing that we are doing since childhood. Space is vast and so is our imagination. Accommodating the innumerable number of stars, it is always a feast to the eye to watch what is beyond us.

Mankind has always been curious to find what lies in the universe since time immemorial. Such inquisitiveness of humans has motivated them to discover those unrevealed secrets of the universe.

India, with significant efforts and dedicated endeavour, has been able to set up highly advanced observatories. ARIES Observatory in Nainital, Vainu Bappu Observatory in Kavalur, UdaipurSolar Observatory in Udaipur, Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle and KodaikanalSolar Observatory in Kodaikanal are the observatories that are the result of constant hard work that is being done since generations.

Out of all these observatories, “The Indian Astronomical Observatory” in Ladakh is one of the best places for stargazing in India. Standing on Mt. Saraswati, Digpa-ratsa Ri, Hanlein south-eastern Ladakh in the eastern Jammu and Kashmir state of India, it fulfills your stargazing dreams by providing unparalleled views of the night sky.

The tricky terrains of Ladakh are home to India's highest telescope. A 2M telescope, sitting atop at the highest altitude in India is operated remotely. To power this telescope, Tata Power Solar designed and developed a solar plant in a record time of nine months to be commissioned in 2005. Clean atmospheric conditions, absence of pollution and clear weather all the year round make it an ideal spot for observing celestial bodies.

Ladakh is the only place where you will find ‘a desert in the sky’. The drive to the observatory itself is breathtaking with each view competing to be etched on your mind . This magical place is a perfect concoction of serenity, pristine blue sky, lilting mountain music, vibrant and colourful flowers, and above all a telescope looking through which will surely transfer you to paradisiacal world admiring what lies beyond.