Last March, Thai astronomers began scanning the sky from Doi Inthanon, the country's highest peak, for the first time after the brand-new telescope of the National Observatory was installed and ready to use.
When darkness falls, Doi Inthanon is among the best places to watch the sky.
"There are lots of things waiting to be researched," Dr Saran Poshyachinda, deputy director of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) said.
With a 2.4-metre-diameter mirror, the Ritchey-Chretien optical system telescope is now the best telescope in the country.
The National Observatory is the main facility of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand. Located at 2,457 metres above the mean sea level, on the very top of Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, the observatory has superb viewing conditions suitable for advanced research in astronomy. High altitude and less air pressure allows observers to get a clearer view of the sky. Moreover, the observatory is located above the clouds for most of the time.
Thus, the observatory will play a significant role in supporting research and international collaboration.
"It is one of the best telescopes in this region. Around here, only China and India have telescopes as good as ours. The nearest 2.4-metre telescope is in Lijiang, China," Saran explained.
The Council of Science Deans proposed the project to the Ministry of Science & Technology to build such an observatory under a 300-million-baht budget. It took around seven years before it came true.
"It is a kind of investment. Though this is expensive equipment for pure science research, the knowledge we get today will be solid ground for the future," he explained about the necessity.
"We can study the physics of the stars, search for objects from space that threaten Earth, and many more things. This knowledge base will be very important for future development, like today's technology is all developed on knowledge from the past."
Aside from research, the brand-new telescope will also be used as a tool to inspire and interest children about science and astronomy. Twice a year, Narit organises science camps to educate students from around the country about astronomy, science and nature. Last March, some 200 children who are keen about astronomy got the chance to learn more about space as well as nature on Doi Inthanon.
"There is no light to bother our star watching here. Doi Inthanon at night is a wonderful place for star lovers," he noted.
Dr Saran Poshyachinda, deputy director of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Public Organisation).
Children at Narit Youth Camp explore the wilderness of Doi Inthanon.
