Devasthal

Devasthal Observatory
Organization	ARIES
Location	Nainital, Western Himalaya, India)
Coordinates	29°21′42″N 79°41′06″E / 29.3617°N 79.685°E / 29.3617; 79.685
Altitude	2,450 metres (8,040 ft)</ref>
Established	1998
Website ARIES website
Telescopes

Devasthal (देवस्थल)is a place in the district of Nainital in Uttarakhand state of India. The literal meaning of the place is "abode of god". This place is situated in the Western Himalayan region at an altitude of 2450 meters. The areas near Devasthal peak are emerging optical astronomical site for Indian telescopes. Currently, a 130-cm optical telescope is installed at the site. The sites are managed by Aryabhatta Research Institute of observational sciences (ARIES), Nainital.

The site will receive a 360-cm telescope and a 400-cm liquid mirror telescope by the year 2012. A survey for installing solar telescope is also being carried out near the peak. The place is well equipped with guest house, canteen, internet connection, water and electric supply since 2008.

The best atmospheric seeing at the peak is measured as 0.6".

References