Tag: observatory

西藏天文馆 Currently at the moment in Lhasa the region capital of Tibet Autonomous Region of China- People’s Republic of China the Construction of the world’s highest – The world’s highest-altitude planetarium, the西藏天文馆Tibet Planetarium, started construction in Lhasa on June 12. It is reported that the roof of the planetarium will be equipped with a refracting optical astronomical telescope with a diameter of 1.06 meters, which will also be the largest refracting optical astronomical telescope in the world. The planetarium has a total construction area of ​​11,571.9 square meters and is expected to be completed in June 2024. The roof of the planetarium will be equipped with a refracting optical telescope with a diameter of about 1.06 meters. This astronomical telescope will also surpass the 1.02-meter-diameter refractor telescope of the Yerkes Observatory in the United States and become the world’s largest refracting astronomical telescope. …

This one-meter-class refractor telescope can monitor variable stars, poor photometry of binary stars, and supernova monitoring. The scope of monitoring includes celestial bodies in the solar system, stars in the Milky Way, and even some nearby galaxies in the outer reaches of the Milky Way can also be observed.
In addition, in scientific research work, this one-meter-class refracting telescope will be used for space target observation, providing space early warning services for my country’s space launch activities and the on-orbit operation of spacecraft.

“Space debris and space junk are being monitored on a global scale, and this monitoring network requires a large number of space observation facilities such as telescopes to work together. The scientific goals of our one-meter-class refractor telescope also involve near-Earth detection in space. The monitoring activities of small celestial bodies and space debris are part of the entire monitoring network.” Wang Junjie said that there is no professional large-scale astronomical observation telescope in the vast Tibet area, and the space monitoring network needs to deploy monitoring equipment closely. The high-level refractor telescope is equivalent to filling the “blind area” of China’s space monitoring network. It will become an important part of the entire monitoring system. The monitoring data obtained will also be used together with the data of other monitoring facilities to calculate the space flight. The construction of the Tibet Planetarium in the orbit of the object　

The special geographical and climatic advantages of Tibet can also facilitate astronomical observations. In order to reduce the influence of atmospheric, weather and other factors on astronomical observation activities, astronomical observation facilities should preferably be located in places with higher altitudes, more sunshine and less rain, and less light pollution. The characteristics of high altitude, sunny days, low population density and high atmospheric visibility in Lhasa will be conducive to astronomical observations.

　　In addition, the Tibet Planetarium after its completion will also undertake a special mission, that is, to carry out astronomical science popularization activities that are easy for the public, especially young people to participate in and accept, and popularize astronomical science knowledge through exhibitions, training, experiments, video broadcasts, lectures, etc. , to spread scientific ideas.

　”The world’s highest-altitude planetarium, coupled with the world’s largest refracting optical astronomical telescope, will have a huge appeal to local people, domestic and foreign tourists, and astronomy enthusiasts. The scientific and cultural literacy of the public plays a unique and important role.” Wang Junjie said that he believed that the Tibet Planetarium would become a new local Internet celebrity landmark, attracting local people and global tourists to visit.

　　According to the operation data of the Tibet Natural Science Museum over the years, the annual reception of the Tibet Planetarium is expected to reach more than 100,000 people, and more than 100,000 people can receive astronomical science popularization education every year.

　　Wang Junjie said that in recent years, the astronomical undertakings in Tibet have been developing continuously, from the Tibet Yangbajing Observatory, the first professional observatory in Tibet, the National Astronomical Observatory, to the Ali Observatory of the National Astronomical Observatory in western Tibet. The former has a submillimeter-wave telescope in cooperation with Germany, which mainly explores star formation, organic molecules, etc. The latter is still under further construction, including gravitational wave telescopes, optical telescopes and other equipment.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives