NARIT joins hands with TAT to organize the activity “Open House National Observatory” on Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai Province, taking those interested to look at the stars and various types of objects in the sky. Through the largest and most modern telescope in ASEAN Ready to learn about the work of astronomers
“National Astronomical Research Institute” or “NARIT” together with “Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)” organized the activity “TNO Open House: Open House of the National Observatory” for the first time in 2024 on Saturday. On January 6, 2024, at the “7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the King Observatory” or “National Observatory”
The activity is open to 120 people who are interested in applying to participate, taking them to learn about the work of astronomers. Visit the telescope control room and join in experiencing the technology of the largest and most modern telescope in ASEAN It has a diameter of 2.4 meters.
While the highlight of the National Observatory open house activity It’s about viewing the stars and various celestial objects at night. In the cold weather, below 10 degrees Celsius, on the roof of the National Observatory through various types of telescopes, such as general small telescopes The 1 meter diameter telescope and the 2.4 meter diameter telescope are the largest and most modern in ASEAN.
Stargazing activities highlight the celestial objects observed on that night, including Saturn, Jupiter, the Pleiades star cluster, Betelgeuse, Sirius, the Andromeda galaxy (M31), the Orion Nebula (M42 ) etc. There are also lecturers who are experts in astronomy giving lectures on the topic. “Basic stargazing and observing the real sky” throughout the activity
For the “7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary Observatory” or “Thai National Observatory: TNO) located at the TOT repeater station, Doi Inthanon National Park, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province.
The National Observatory is an observatory with a small area. Instead, it is equipped with a 2.4 meter diameter reflecting telescope and the largest and most advanced automation system in Southeast Asia. It is also one of the few observatories in the world located near the equator. which is an observation point for the entire northern sky and the southern hemisphere throughout the year
The National Observatory was created to carry out research, research and development work in collaboration with both domestic and international agencies. in creating the body New knowledge in astronomy Push Thailand to be the center of astronomy education in Southeast Asia. and raise the country’s competitiveness in science and technology to international standards in research.
However, although the National Observatory has the main purpose of research, NARIT has now opened this observatory which is famous for the unseen Doi Inthanon. Allow outsiders to join in studying and learning through the activity “TNO Open House: Open House of the National Observatory” which is scheduled to be held twice a year on nights without disturbing moonlight in January-February. Because it is the right time to look at the stars in the sky. It is open to only 120 people interested in participating in such activities at a time.
This year (2024), NARIT held the first National Observatory open house event on January 6th and the second time on February 3, 2024, which received very good response. There were full registrations for both rounds of these activities. However, NARIT continues to organize astronomy activities from time to time, which those interested can follow on the NARIT Facebook fan page, National Astronomical Research Institute.
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Note: Picture from NARIT.
