It is targeted that trials will begin no later than mid-2024
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) confirmed that the trial activities of the Timau National Observatory, located on Mount Timau, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, are targeted to take place in the middle of this year.
Lead Expert Researcher at the BRIN Space Research Center, Thomas Djamaluddin, said that his party is currently still completing the installation of the main mirror and third mirror.
“It is targeted that trials will begin no later than mid-2024,” he said in a statement quoted in Jakarta, Monday.
Thomas explained that the construction of the national observatory was delayed because of road construction problems.
The original plan for road construction was to be carried out in 2020, but the road construction project could only start in 2021 due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, quality roads are really needed to support the transportation of telescopes. The road project to the observatory received assistance from the PUPR Ministry, the NTT Provincial Government and the Kupang Government.
“The telescope can only be brought and delivered in 2022. Then, in 2023 (the telescope) can be installed but it is not yet complete because there is still a main mirror and a third mirror that have not been installed,” said Thomas.
BRIN built the National Observatory in Amfoang because that location has the longest, brightest nights for around 65 percent of the year.
The Timau National Observatory is an observatory for space observations which has the main facilities in the form of an optical telescope with a diameter of 3.8 meters and a parabolic radio telescope with a diameter of 20 meters.
The optical telescope with a diameter of 3.8 meters is much larger than the telescope currently owned by Thailand measuring 2.4 meters. A large telescope can sharpen your vision of celestial objects that have dimmer light.
Reporter: Sugiharto Purnama
Editor: Indra Gultom
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
2024-01-29 07:32:52
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