Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)
आर्यभट्ट प्रेक्षण विज्ञान शोध संस्थान | नैनीताल
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) is a prominent astronomical institute of India. Its an autonomous institute devoted to research and development in Astronomy & Astrophysics and Atmospheric Sciences. It first came into existence at Varanasi in 1954 with the name U. P. State Observatory. The Institute is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Nearly 60 scientists and engineers are actively engaged in the scientific activities of the institute.
Situated adjacent to the picturesque hill town of Nainital, ARIES observatory was established after independence in 1955 but later on shifted to more appropriate location at Manora Peak (1,951 m (6,401 ft)), about 9 km from Nainital, a popular hill station. Known to have one of the most advanced telescopes in India, ARIES is setup as an autonomous institute imparting education on astronomical studies.
The astronomical observatory is open to the public during working days on afternoons. For night viewing however, three – four days on moonlight nights are fixed and prior permission is needed.
Nainital (29.4 N; 79.5 E, 1958 m above sea level) is located at higher altitude in the Central Himalayas and away from urban cities or any major polluting source. This factor makes it best suited for carrying out observations in background condition and to study the regional environment, particularly interactions between natural and anthropocentric trace species Astronomy & Astrophysics Atmospheric Sciences 104-cm Sampurnanand Optical Telescope located at Manora Peak, Nainital. 15-cm Coude Solar Tower Telescope equipped with Bernhard Halle Háfilter & fast CCD Camera for solar activity observations. and climate change. Additionally, this site can also provide information on long range transport of pollutants. Studies on lower atmospheric dynamics are also very important in this region, which is severely lacking over northern India.
The observatory is open to public in the evenings for night sky viewing using one of the telescopes at the Institute. Visitors can also attend the slideshows and view the picture gallery describing celestial bodies. The timings of the show may vary according to the season. The details of the show can be obtained on the Institute contact numbers.
Credit: https://www.aries.res.in
How To Reach Aryabhatta Research Institute ARIES :-
Take NH 87; 6 km before Nainital take the direction ARIES (locally known as the observatory) 32 km from Kathgodam Railway Station. 9 km from Nainital
