Iran’s return to global astronomical community a significant achievement
The establishment of the Iran National Observatory (INO), as one of the largest scientific projects implemented in the country, entered an imporant stage last year when it recorded the first light image of its 3.4m optical telescope.
The fulfillment of this project, which is over 20 years old, caused Iran to return to the global astronomical community after eight centuries.
The establishment of INO, as one of the major national astronomical projects, has been a great achievement for the country. The project, which was launched in the Iranian year to March 2001, received its first funding from the government budget in the year to March 2006.
Despite the obstacles created by the sanctions imposed on Iran, this telescope was completely designed and made by domestic experts and only its mirrors were imported from abroad. Head of the Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences Mohammad Javad Larijiani said that setting up the INO is one of the most significant scientific projects implemented in the country in recent decades.
Following last year’s announcement made by Iranian astronomers about the recording of the first light image of INO’s 3.4m optical telescope, Science Journal, one of the most prestigious scientific journals of the world, published an article in which it referred to the telescope as a world-class device.
It wrote that Iranian scientists and engineers faced major hurdles building the Iranian National Observatory, including sanctions that curtail high-tech imports and visa restrictions limiting their travel abroad.
INO Project Director Habib Khosroshahi said that none of Iranian universities has so far experienced the implementation of such a great scientific project.
“The execution of the project gained more momentum as of 2018, and the total process of the construction, installation and commissioning was carried out in a period of four years,” he said.
He added that due to the absence of modern and advanced telescopes in neighboring countries, Iran, a country with high mountain ranges, is a suitable geographical location for professional astronomical observatories.
Khosroshahi said that the establishment of INO has provided a huge and unique experience for Iran’s science and technology sector, adding that it is an important step taken for the revival of astronomy and cosmology in the country after eight centuries.
“Astronomical imagers and spectrometers are expected to be installed on its telescope in the current and coming years,” he noted.
The world-class, 3.4-meter optical telescope is suitable for observing and studying a wide range of astronomical and cosmic objects.
Gerry Gilmore, an astronomer at the University of Cambridge and chair of INO’s international advisory board, said INO’s scientific odyssey began two decades ago— and faced long odds.
“When they started this project, it was just a dream. No one in Iran had attempted anything on this scale before,” he added.
Thanks to its geographic location, the INO project is expected to attract international astronomers. The site selection campaign was concluded by selecting Mt. Gargash, at 3,600m above sea level in central Iran, 110km north of the city of Isfahan.
The INO project goes far beyond the design and development of the telescope itself. Its 16m-diameter, 22m-high modern enclosure and dome are also manufactured by the local industry.
The INO project progressed faster than expected in the construction phase, thanks to the dedicated and agile management and the hard work of its small but highly motivated staff.