First Light at Dongla Observatory

[Ajay Talwar]

Hello Fellow Astronuts,

 

     I am indeed fortunate to be instrumental in installing the 20inch Planewave CDK telescope and photographing its First Light. 

 

     The observatory built by Madhya Pradesh Council of Science & Technology is situated at Dongla , Ujjain District and is the first observatory in the state of Madhya Pradesh. From the concept stage to the installation of the telescope, the observatory has shaped up at quite a fast pace.

Please do read more and enjoy the images here: http://goo.gl/PTyLO

 

Comments of all flavours are quite welcome.

Ajay Talwar

[sathya kumar Prasanna]

Hi Ajay,

The pier is very tall as per the photo. Does this mean that it will be an exclusive imaging telescope? Also, the base of the pier is very wide. If someone accidentally steps on it, will it not create vibrations? Or is it going to be remotely operated?

Regards,

Sathya

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[Ajay Talwar]

Hello Sathya,

The Pier is 10 metres from the ground level. This is done to reduce the thermal effects from the ground.

The authorities have not ordered any eyepiece with the telescope, the primary intention is to have an imaging telescope. A large format CCD camera has been ordered in the list of instruments.

The base of the pier is wide, it goes on reducing floor by floor. At the observatory floor level it is about 1.3 metres (a visual estimate). Yes, stepping on the pier will introduce vibrations. I think the intention is to have capability of a larger instrument to be installed on the same pier, say 1 metre short focus telescope.

The German Equatorial mount does not have any hand paddle, it is supposed to be controlled via The Sky software, so YES it is going to be remotely operated from the observatory floor presently, and at a later stage from the building nearby. The mount is capable of being connected using ethernet, serial or USB connection. At the moment the dome is not automated, but there are plans afoot to have encoders and have it operating synchronised with the telescope movement.

Ajay Talwar

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From: sathya kumar Prasanna <skps...@gmail.com>
To: b-...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2013 1:48 PM
Subject: Re: [-BAS-] First Light at Dongla Observatory

[Ajay Talwar]

Hello Again Sathya,

By pier, I think you meant the metal pier inside the dome. Yes it is quite high so as to make the telescope's (mounting's) pivot point at the level of the dome 'horizon'. The 'horizon' of the dome is actually quite high from the observatory floor, more than 6 feet. It is a spacious observatory.

We did use the telescope visually, Saturn at the zenith was quite easy, since the eyepiece was at the lowest. Pointed at the pole star we had to turn the eyepiece diagonal downwards, and we had to look UP to see in the eyepiece. We did not find it uncomfortable to look through the eyepiece when pointed at the pole star, nor needed any step to climb on.

Ajay Talwar

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From: Ajay Talwar <ajayta...@yahoo.com>
To: "b-...@googlegroups.com" <b-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2013 2:03 PM

[baku bhardvaj]

Hello Ajayji,
I  am very glad to met you in Ujjain-Dongla and wish to thank to you to develop the observatory.Whenever I met with you I always get some knowledge.I request you to please continue you support on this field.I wish to inform that I have developed a Planetarium in Ahmedabad hence I wish that we can develop an Observatory in Gujarat with help of Gujarat Govt.
I attach some photos.
Thank You Once again.

 Dhananjay Raval

Ankur Hobby Centre
Abhirath Complex,
Naranpura,
Ahmedabad-380 014.
Guarat-INDIA
Phone - 079 27681796,66621313
E Mail : ankur...@yahoo.com

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From: Ajay Talwar <ajayta...@yahoo.com>
To: "b-...@googlegroups.com" <b-...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Saturday, 15 June 2013 3:19 PM

[Rahul Zota]

that's a great news! congrats.. love the images

Rahul

[sathya kumar Prasanna]

Hello Ajay,

Your second answer was the one i was looking for :) The dome also looks very well made.

Thank you.

[sayan basu]

Wow!!! Guys lots of congrats for making this observatory... Please post some pictures also. What was the first observations u made?!!!!
What's telescope u mounted...?? Size....

 

Have a nice day.

Regards,
Sayan Basu
Radio Astronomy research student.
University of South Africa, Pretoria & HartRAO
Contact: +27-840463915
"Nature is a magnificent structure which we can comprehend only very imperfectly."- Einstein

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From: sathya kumar Prasanna <skps...@gmail.com>
To: b-...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Saturday, 15 June 2013 4:47 PM

[sathya kumar Prasanna]

Hello Sayan,

Ajay has posted photos and described the system also. Link is below.

 http://goo.gl/PTyLO

[Ajay Talwar]

Hello Dhananjay,

I wish I had developed the observatory, but I was just here to install the telescope and start it up for the first light.

Thanks for your comments, and best wishes for your planetarium.

Ajay Talwar

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From: baku bhardvaj <ankur...@yahoo.com>
To: "b-...@googlegroups.com" <b-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2013 3:52 PM

[mys universe]

Congrats and awesome images!

Just wish they had the time at which they were taken, tagged also.

[Nikunj Rawal]

Dear Ajay Saab,

Brilliant action. We are now very lucky enough to visit that observatory. Along with SUPER support by you and all other SUPER active astronomers, India is damn going ahead in space journey.

I wish to visit that very soon.

Good Luck

 

Regards,
Nikunj M Rawal

RIL Jamnagar Gujarat

www.nikunjrawalastronomy.blogspot.com

http://tinyurl.com/ccxdncn

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From: Ajay Talwar <ajayta...@yahoo.com>
To: Ajay Talwar <ajayta...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2013 11:54 AM
Subject: [AstronomyClubsIndia] First Light at Dongla Observatory

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[Hemant Hariyani]

Ajay,

Congratulations to you and all involved. This is great. Thanks a lot for sharing!

Regards

Hemant

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[nithya saiprasad]

Wow!!,

Congrats ..thanks for sharing Ajay

Regards

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Regards,

NITHYA SAIPRASAD

“I don't want to believe. I want to know.” 
― Carl Sagan