In African Globe:
Earlier in the East African Astronomical Society:
More hereEthiopia unveiled the first phase of a space exploration programme, which includes East Africa’s largest observatory designed to promote astronomy research in the region.
Image courtesy of African Globe
“The optical astronomical telescope is mainly intended for astronomy and astrophysics observation research,” said observatory director Solomon Belay.
The observatory, which will formally be opened on Saturday, boasts two telescopes, each one metre (over three feet) wide, to see “extra planets, different types of stars, the Milky Way, and deep galaxies,” Solomon added.
The 3.4 million dollar (2.5 million euro) observatory, run by the Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS), is funded by Ethiopian-Saudi business tycoon Mohammed Alamoudi.
The observatory, 3,200 metres (10,500 feet) above sea level in the lush Entoto mountains on the outskirts of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, is an ideal location because of its minimal cloud cover, moderate winds and low humidity, experts said.
Earlier in the East African Astronomical Society:
The Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS) is building an observatory called Entoto Observatory in Mount Entoto (at altitude of ~3100m) very close to the capital, Addis Ababa. The observatory will have two 1m alt-az Cassegrain-Nasmyth telescopes with instruments ranging from high resolution spectrograph to adaptive optics Tilt/Tip and high speed cameras. The observatory has full facility on its site including hostels, conference facilities, a computer center, a library as well as offices. The observatory is expected to start operation in the second half of 2013. Once the construction is completed, Entoto Observatory will be the only modern astronomical observatory not only in the history of Ethiopia but in the entire region. The observatory is also undergoing extensive site testing projects in the norther part of Ethiopia in order to put a bigger size research class telescope in the near future.
