Jammu, Jan 6: Jammu and Kashmir will have the distinction of having the world's largest solar telescope in Ladakh region of the state.
The National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) is being set up in Ladakh region's high altitude Pangong Tso Lake Merak by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (GoI), Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Madhav Lal revealed this here today.
While chairing a meeting to discuss the modalities for setting up the solar telescope, Madhav Lal said that the state government will extend full cooperation to the department of Science and Technology, Government of India in its endeavour to set up NLST.
He said the site selected for setting up of the telescope fitted with a 2m reflector will permit scientists to carry out cutting edge research to understand the fundamental processes taking place on the sun.
The solar telescope will help the scientific community study the long term changes in earth's climate and environment and also provide useful data to carry out research in order to minimize or remove disruptions to communications network and satellites due to periodic solar winds, he said.
The Chief Secretary said that the facility will also provide employment opportunities to the local population in the area.
Giving details of the project, Professor Tushar P Prabhu from Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Department of Science and Technology (GOI), said that the site was selected after carefully studying various scientific and environmental aspects.
It emerged from the studies that the Pangong lake site at Merak was very promising and offered longer sunshine hours, he said.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 6 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 6 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 Jan 2012 00:00:00 IST