MACE, Asia's Largest and World's Highest Imaging Cherenkov Observatory at Hanle, Ladakh

By siliconindia  |  Thursday, 10 October 2024, 16:57 IST

MACE, Asia's Largest and World's Highest Imaging Cherenkov Observatory at Hanle, Ladakh

Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman Atomic Energy Commission, inaugurated the MACE observatory, Asia’s Largest and World’s Highest Imaging Cherenkov Observatory, at Hanle, Ladakh.The Union Territory of Ladakh formally inaugurated the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment(MACE), a Cherenkov telescope described to be the world's highest-imaging telescope, located above 4,300 meters in Hanle. This marks India's success in the field of space and cosmic-ray research.The facility has been developed in India by BARC in collaboration with Electronics Corporation of India Limited and various industry partners and is the biggest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia.

The inauguration was a part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the DAE. Dr. Mohanty unveiled commemorative plaques at the Hanle site during his visit there. He emphasized in his message the need to strike a balance between tourism and scientific endeavor in the HDSR, inspiring students to pursue their careers in science and technology.

Dr S M Yusuf, Director of BARC's Physics Group, spoke on the importance of the MACE telescope in augmenting India's capabilities in space and cosmic-ray research. Pictorial records of the MACE project were kept at the event. That day, Dr Mohanty honored some of the important villagers, the headmaster of the school, and the lama of Hanle Gompa.

The MACE Telescope will look for high-energy gamma rays and it aims at contributing to global research on supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts, among others. The very enthusiasm for this experiment also sparks the idea of encouraging international collaborations in this discipline to make a stronger force out of India in the arena of multi messenger astronomy.

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