Indonesia’s Strategic Location Crucial for Global Astronomy Observations
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s strategic location has positioned it as a vital hub for astronomers, enabling observations of celestial objects from the southern hemisphere, according to the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
Thomas Djamaluddin, Chief Expert Researcher at BRIN’s Space Research Center, highlighted the significance of Indonesia’s role in global astronomy during a discussion on Friday. He noted that astronomers can observe both the northern and southern skies from Indonesia, contributing critically to the advancement of global astronomical research.
Observations of the southern skies are often conducted from various observatories located in the planet’s southern hemisphere, including those in Indonesia. Djamaluddin explained that the southern part of the Earth lacks observatories, making the facilities in Indonesia, South Africa, Australia, and South America indispensable for global astronomers.
In contrast, observatories in the northern regions, such as the United States, Europe, Japan, and China, focus predominantly on astronomic research of the northern skies. Djamaluddin emphasized the challenges faced by astronomers in the northern hemisphere when observing celestial objects in the southern skies, as stars appear too low from northern observatories.
Given Indonesia’s less extensive land mass in the southern hemisphere compared to the northern part of the Earth, it occupies a strategically important position for astronomical observation.
BRIN is actively developing the Timau National Observatory in Kupang District, East Nusa Tenggara Province. The agency plans to commence testing the observatory in mid-2024. Equipped with a 3.8-meter diameter telescope, the observatory aims to become the largest in Southeast Asia. The advanced telescope is expected to enhance views of celestial objects with low luminosity, contributing to the global pursuit of astronomical knowledge.
