Unusually, Nareit inaugurates the largest telescope in ASEAN. See objects in the sky at the National Observatory, Doi Intanon.

NARIT collaborates with TAT to organize the “National Open Observatory” activity in Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai Province, taking those interested to look at the stars and different types of objects in the sky. Through the largest and most modern telescope in ASEAN ready to learn about the work of astronomers

“National Institute for Astronomical Research” or Nareet together with “Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)” Organizing activities “TNO Open House: National Observatory Open House” The first time in 2024 on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at “An honorary observatory on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the birth of His Majesty the King” or “National Observatory”

The activity is open to 120 people interested in applying to participate, where they learn about the work of astronomers. Visit the telescope control room and join the technology trial of the largest and most advanced telescope in ASEAN with a diameter of 2.4 metres.

While the most prominent activity of the National Observatory at the open house was related to viewing the stars and various celestial bodies at night. In cold weather, below 10 degrees Celsius, on the roof of the National Observatory through various types of telescopes, such as small general telescopes The one-meter diameter telescope and the 2.4-meter diameter telescope are the largest and most modern in ASEAN.

Stargazing activities include the most notable celestial objects observed that night, including: Saturn, Jupiter, Pleiades star cluster, Betelgeuse, Sirius, Andromeda Galaxy (M31), Orion Nebula (M42) etc. There are also expert speakers in astronomy who give lectures on this topic.”Basic stargazing and real sky observationD” throughout the activity.

for “An observatory in honor of the seventh anniversary of the birth of His Majesty the King“or”National Observatory(Thai National Observatory: TNO) is located at TOT Repeater Station, Doi Inthanon National Park, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province.

The National Observatory is a small-area observatory. 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. It is an observation point for the entire northern sky and the southern hemisphere throughout the year

The National Observatory was established to carry out research and development work in cooperation with local and international agencies. The creation of a new body of knowledge in astronomy pushed Thailand to be a center for astronomy education in Southeast Asia. And raising the country's competitiveness in the field of science and technology to international standards in the field of research.

However, although the National Observatory has a main purpose of research, NARIT has now opened this famous observatory of the invisible Doi Inthanon. Allowing strangers to join in the study and learning with the “TNO Open House: Open House of the National Observatory” activity, which is scheduled to be held twice a year on nights without moonlight disturbance 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 its first National Observatory Open House event on January 6 and the second time on February 3, 2024, which received a very good response. There have been complete recordings of both rounds of these activities, however, NARIT continues to organize astronomy activities from time to time, which those interested can follow on the NARIT Fan Facebook page, National Institute for Astronomical Research.

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Note: Photo by Nareit.