Ladakh likely to be the home of the World’s largest telescope

If media reports are to go by then India will soon have the largest telescope in the world. The 1.47-billion dollar Thirty Metre Telescope international observatory, which is the world’s largest telescope is likely to be set up in Ladakh. Hanle in Ladakh has been short-listed as a prospective site by the TMT board following major hurdles in Mauna Kea, Hawaii – the first choice for the project. An international team is expected to visit Ladakh in a couple of months.

The Hawaii Supreme Court had in December 2015 cancelled the permit issued to TMT for constructing the observatory following claims that the plot in Mauna Kea was sacred. While Hawaiian authorities are working towards re-issual of permit, the TMT Board is scouting for alternative sites to avoid delaying the project.

India is already building edge sensors, actuators and system support support assemblies, besides contributing to the software of TMT. Meanwhile, the project is also looking for prospective sites both in northern and southern hemispheres, including Hanle,” he said. India is expected to invest $212 million in the project.