The GROWTH-India telescope stands as a significant milestone in Indian astronomy. Located at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh, it is the country's first fully robotic optical research telescope. With a 0.7-meter wide-field design, this telescope is primarily dedicated to the study of time-domain astronomy.
The development of the GROWTH-India telescope was a collaborative effort, bringing together the expertise of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). This partnership was supported by funding from DST-SERB, IUSSTF, and the IIT Bombay alumni batch of 1994, underscoring the collaborative spirit in advancing astronomical research.
Recently, the GROWTH-India telescope captured a remarkable image of a 116-meter asteroid during its closest approach to Earth. The rapid movement of this asteroid caused background stars to appear as streaks, showcasing the telescope's advanced observational capabilities.
The primary research focus of the GROWTH-India telescope is time-domain astronomy. This field involves studying explosive transients and variable sources across the universe. The telescope's design allows for rapid observation and a wide field of view, essential for capturing transient events in real-time.
Rapid response is vital for the GROWTH-India telescope. Often, the exact positions of new transient sources are initially unknown, necessitating swift action. The telescope must commence observations within the first 24 hours of discovering a transient event to gather crucial data.
With its wide field of view, the GROWTH-India telescope can image extensive areas of the sky. This capability is crucial for quickly locating and studying transient events and new celestial sources, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of observations.
Ongoing operations of the GROWTH-India telescope are supported by DST-SERB, IUSSTF, and the IIT Bombay alumni batch of 1994. This support ensures the telescope's continued contribution to cutting-edge research and observations. Through detailed observation of transient celestial events, the GROWTH-India telescope plays a critical role in enhancing our understanding of the universe and contributing to global astronomical research.
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