First Astronomical Observatories of Pakistan will be installed in Islamabad and Gwadar

[Shahzaz ud din]

First Astronomical Observatories of Pakistan will be installed in Islamabad and Gwadar
By Hamnah Khalid on July 3, 2020 - Like us now!

The Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Mr Fawad Chaudhry has announced plans to establish the first Astronomical Observatories of the country in Islamabad and Gwadar.

A meeting was conducted between Fawad Chaudhry and the Scientific Committee of National Astronomical Observation of Pakistan. The focus of the meeting was moonsighting in the country.

Fawad Chaudhry also announced plans of the first ever space museum of the country to be established within 6 months.



Astronomical observatories are built to help see the sky better and clearly observe and capture images of celestial objects such as other planets, their moons, and the stars around the galaxy.

These observatories, when installed in Islamabad and Gwadar, will provide some much-needed data and information to our country to further advance us, as a nation, in the world of science and technology. Furthermore, if done right and made to match the international standards set, these observatories can not only help us better our own scientific knowledge but they can also allow us to help the international community and bring wealth into our nation through collaborations and partnerships.

 

[TruthSeeker]

It doesn't seem to make sense to site an observatory in Islamabad due to light pollution. Why not in the northern mountains?

 

[Genghis khan1]

It doesn't seem to make sense to site an observatory in Islamabad due to light pollution. Why not in the northern mountains?

Above the city in mountains of Islamabad.

Islamabad is a decent place. Close to city, high altitude, plus if the govt establish science / space Museum, it’s will not only promote scientific interest in Students but also generate some revenue.

 

[gangsta_rap]

It doesn't seem to make sense to site an observatory in Islamabad due to light pollution. Why not in the northern mountains?

margalla hills

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Absolutely fantastic new I love the Astronomy field it has long been neglected in Pakistan

 

[KhanBaba2]

Please tell me this statement is not accurate. You could not have been without an astronomical observatory all these years.

 

[krash]

Above the city in mountains of Islamabad.

Islamabad is a decent place. Close to city, high altitude, plus if the govt establish science / space Museum, it’s will not only promote scientific interest in Students but also generate some revenue.

margalla hills

@TruthSeeker is correct. The Margala Hills and the whole surrounding region is not at all the optimum location for an Astronomical Observatory. The light pollution from the twin cities and the numerous towns/villages in and around the Galiyat area will cause a major hindrance. The weather in the winter and monsoon seasons will be another hindrance. The altitude isn't very promising either. Gawadar, on the other hand, is literally at sea level. I don't understand why the perfectly suited regions further up north are being disregarded for these two locations, it makes no sense.

In fact, if anyone actually cared, international bodies would be quite interested in constructing their own set ups in Northern Pakistan. We could become the Chile of the Northern Hemisphere.

Please tell me this statement is not accurate. You could not have been without an astronomical observatory all these years.

There are a handful, a couple of universities have them as well. Nothing major, though.

What we do not have is journalistic integrity or professionalism.

 

[Genghis khan1]

@TruthSeeker is correct. The Margala Hills and the whole surrounding region is not at all the optimum location for an Astronomical Observatory. The light pollution from the twin cities and the numerous towns/villages in and around the Galiyat area will cause a major hindrance. The weather in the winter and monsoon seasons will be another hindrance. The altitude isn't very promising either. Gawadar, on the other hand, is literally at sea level. I don't understand why the perfectly suited regions further up north are being disregarded for these two locations, it makes no sense.

In fact, if anyone actually cared, international bodies would be quite interested in constructing their own set ups in Northern Pakistan. We could become the Chile of the Northern Hemisphere.



There are a handful, a couple of universities have them as well. Nothing major, though.

What we do not have is journalistic integrity or professionalism.

I think there are lot more to it than just height. I am sure they did their calculations and feasibility study before proposing location.

 

[krash]

I think there are lot more to it than just height. I am sure they did their calculations and feasibility study before proposing location.

If universities and other organizations from all across the globe can go and build their observatories in a desert in Chile, at a location which is days away from any human settlement, I don't see what is stopping the Government of Pakistan to build one in its backyard.

The three most major factors for any Astronomical Observatory, far more important than anything else, are the altitude (to minimize the atmospheric distortion), a location away from cities, towns and village (to minimize light pollution), and the yearly weather patterns (fairly obvious) at its intended site. Exactly the reason why they build them in Chile and why the Americans spent billions launching some into space. I'm questioning the Minister's and the Government's understanding of the matter.

 

[Genghis khan1]

yearly weather patterns at its intended site.

You just answered yourself.

I think Pakistan is not at that level where it start looking toward foreign location.

 

[M.AsfandYar]

Minister's

He has none.

 

[krash]

You just answered yourself.

Maybe I wasn't clear enough. The weather pattern at Gwadar and Islamabad is horrible for an observatory when compared to sites further up north.

I think Pakistan is not at that level where it start looking toward foreign location.

I'm suggesting building the observatory in Northern Pakistan, not some foreign location. Pretty sure I was very clear about that.

 

[Genghis khan1]

Maybe I wasn't clear enough. The weather pattern at Gwadar and Islamabad is horrible for an observatory when compared to sites further up north.



I'm suggesting building the observatory in Northern Pakistan, not some foreign location. Pretty sure I was very clear about that.

Idk bud, I see your point. But unless you have expertise in the field, I would stick to govt decision.

 

[Ultima Thule]

Maybe I wasn't clear enough. The weather pattern at Gwadar and Islamabad is horrible for an observatory when compared to sites further up north.



I'm suggesting building the observatory in Northern Pakistan, not some foreign location. Pretty sure I was very clear about that.

Weather in northern Pakistan is not dry and sunny all the year and suddenly will become overcast but remote place in Baluchistan could be the ideal places to set up the astronomical observatories

 

[krash]

Weather in northern Pakistan is not dry and sunny all the year and suddenly will become overcast but remote place in Baluchistan could be the ideal places to set up the astronomical observatories

Not quite. Once you cross into Gilgit Baltistan the weather remains mostly bone dry and sunny throughout the year. You get high precipitation only in certain higher valleys and plateaus, e.g. Naltar and Deosai, or if you go beyond the Skardu and Hunza valleys where the jet stream from Siberia brings in or collides with the higher peaks and generates the clouds. The ring of high mountains around GB forms a natural barrier against clouds.

The higher locations in Balochistan get a fair bit of precipitation and over cast conditions due to the western winds in the winter season. They are also nowhere near as high as GB.