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News18
22-07-2025
- Science
- News18
Eyeing The Stars: How India Is Turning Ladakh's Harsh Terrain Into A Science Launch-Pad
From analog space mission to biggest solar telescope, and glimpses of northern lights, Ladakh is turning into a year-round field lab for India's astronomers, and space scientists. Last May, Indian astronomers captured a stunning, rare display of northern lights dancing across Ladakh's night skies. This was triggered by the most intense solar storm in the last 20 years. A year later, using observations from the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Hanle – alongside data from NASA and ESA – they have successfully traced the paths of these powerful solar eruptions, and determined their temperatures and magnetic properties. This is just one of the many science breakthroughs emerging from Ladakh. With its high altitude and one of the darkest skies in India, the region has long provided vital data for Indian astronomers. The 22-km area around Hanle hosts India's first Dark Sky Reserve. Now this cold, barren and Mars-like frontier has become India's most crucial site for astronomical research. From the country's first analog space mission to its largest solar telescope, Ladakh is fast emerging as the launch-pad for India's big scientific dreams. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, have long aimed to build the National Large Solar Telescope in Ladakh – a 2-metre ground-based telescope, set at 4,200 metres above the sea level, designed to observe the Sun in optical and near-infrared light like never before. The project has been years in the making, and is proposed to be set up near Pangong Lake in Merak, Ladakh. 'Ladakh offers one of the best sky conditions for astrophysicists in India. The weather is mostly clear, the altitude is high, rainfall is scarce, and it is practically a cold desert," said Dr Jayant Joshi, project scientist at IIA, Bengaluru. 'These conditions make Ladakh an ideal site for ground-based telescopes. The proposed solar telescope will probably be the largest in Asia, offering scientists a powerful tool to study the Sun and its complex behaviour." Globally, the best astronomical observatories are built in high-altitude mountain ranges with minimal light pollution, like in Hawaii or Chile. That is because ground-based telescopes have to deal with atmospheric turbulence, where heat in the air creates wavy patterns that can blur what we see. But, positioning the telescope at such altitude near Pangong Lake helps reduce that distortion, as water has high specific heat – it does not heat up or cool down quickly, which keeps the surrounding air more stable – perfect for sharp astronomical observation. 'The project is now in an advanced stage, and currently awaiting financial approval. Once operational, it will capture highly detailed images, crucial for understanding solar flares, and the impact of space weather on satellites. Together with Aditya L-1, it will provide deeper insights into solar activity," added Dr Joshi. LADAKH'S BARREN LAND – A TEST BED FOR SPACE-SCIENCE Scientists are eager to harness Ladakh's potential – not just for breakthroughs in research, but also as a training ground for astronomers, stargazers and space-science enthusiasts. At over 3,000 metres above sea level, Ladakh has just 40 per cent of sea-level oxygen, allowing realistic testing of life-support systems in low-pressure, low-oxygen conditions similar to Mars. Last year, private space firm AAKA Space Studio in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) set up the country's first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh – to support India's ambitious Human Spaceflight programme. Analog space facilities are essentially field tests on Earth that mimic extreme space environment, allowing scientists to test designs, materials, train crews, and conduct scientific experiments in realistic conditions. top videos View all 'Any space-faring nation aiming for the Moon or Mars must train its astronauts in extreme, Earth-based environments. With India targeting a Bhartiya Antriksh Station by 2035 and a Moon landing by 2040, setting up multiple analog research bases is essential," said Professor Aloke Kumar of IISc Bengaluru. 'Ladakh – with its dry, sub-zero temperatures, low precipitation, rocky terrain, permafrost, and high-altitude desert – is an ideal testbed that closely mimics Martian and lunar landscapes." Ladakh now also hosts – MACE – the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia and the highest of its kind in the world, located at around 4,300 metres. It was indigenously built by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to study very high-energy gamma rays from space, and inaugurated last October. With its unique geography and climate, the high-altitude Ladakh has now become an ideal, year-round field lab for geologists, geographers, astronomers, and space researchers from across India. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : ladakh northern lights Solar storm view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 22, 2025, 11:52 IST News india Eyeing The Stars: How India Is Turning Ladakh's Harsh Terrain Into A Science Launch-Pad Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. 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India Gazette
18-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
LAHDC delegation called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Ladakh
Leh (Ladakh) [India] June 18 (ANI): A delegation led by Yangchan Dolma, Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, recently called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Leh on Wednesday. In a post on X, Nirmala Sitharaman's Office stated that, 'Delegation led by Smt Yangchan Dolma, Councillor - Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, calls on Smt Nirmala Sitharaman.' During her visit, Sitharaman visited the project site for the National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) near Pangong Lake in Merak. The NLST is a proposed ground-based 2-m class optical and near-infrared (IR) observational facility. Furthermore, Sitharaman laid a wreath in tribute and paid respects to the martyrs at the Rezang La War Memorial at Chushul, in Ladakh. The War Memorial was constructed in 1963 in the Chushul plains, at an altitude of over 15,000 feet. Earlier, on Monday, Sitharaman visited Rongdo Valley in Ladakh and interacted with members of the local tribal community members. In a post on X, Nirmala Sitharaman's office said, 'Nirmala Sitharaman visits Rongdo Valley in Ladakh and interacts with members of the local nomadic tribal community. During the visit, Nirmala Sitharaman handed over a cheque of Rs 50 lakh for the construction of tents for the tribe, under the CSR initiative of the @TheOfficialSBI Foundation.' Earlier on June 15, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, virtually inaugurated several development projects on Sunday in Leh, Ladakh, during her four-day visit to the Union Territory. The Ministry of Finance said this reaffirms the Government of India's commitment to inclusive growth and infrastructure development in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The Union Finance Minister also interacted with the officials of the Union Territory administration. On the second day of her visit, she addressed an audience during the Credit Outreach Programme in Leh and handed over sanction letters from banks to beneficiaries under various Central Government schemes. During the Credit Outreach, loans worth Rs 5.13 crore were disbursed to beneficiaries under different schemes, including PM MUDRA, PM Vishwakarma, PMEGP, PM Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PM FME), and Joint Liability Group (JLG) loans. The Union minister also visited an exhibition of local handicrafts and handloom products by Self Help Groups (SHG) and Local Entrepreneurs in Leh. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sitharaman visits project site for infra-red observatory in Ladakh
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Tuesday, visited the project site for national large solar telescope (NLST) near strategic Pangong Lake in Meral area of Ladakh. The finance minister also took to X and related the information. 'Smt @nsitharaman visits the project site for National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), located near the Pangong lake in Merak, Ladakh at an altitude of around 4200m', she wrote on X. NLST is a proposed ground based 2-m class optical and near infra-red (IR) observational facility and the site provides significant periods of coronagraphic skies (high transparency), it read further Dr Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) was also present. On Sunday, Sitharaman had laid the foundation stone for a mini planetarium and Astro Globe at the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in the Changthang region of the strategic region. The initiative, sanctioned under the special development package comes at an estimated cost of ₹276.65 lakh and aims to promote scientific education, astro-tourism, stargazing, night sky programs, and generate local employment, said an official spokesperson. At the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre's Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Telescope facility in Hanle, Prof Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), and Dr K.K. Yadav from the Astrophysical Sciences Division, BARC presented the telescope's current achievements and future plans. Applauding the efforts of IIA and the local community, Sitharaman remarked, 'This project symbolizes a collaborative spirit between the scientific and public community, a true matter of national pride.' She urged the development of programs tailored for the common public to spark interest in astrophysics through hands-on learning and proactively putting out content generated through these scientific centres. During her visit to Hanle, Sitharaman engaged with delegations of anganwadi workers, contractor associations, and BJP members from Nyoma, attentively listening to their concerns. At Rongo, she visited an animal husbandry site where she met with mostly female pashmina goat and yak herders. She distributed goat-shearing machines to support their livelihood. As part of the Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan, Sitharaman interacted with campaign beneficiaries. She also presented a ₹50 lakh cheque to Nyoma nomads under SBI's Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. The departments of sheep and animal husbandry hosted a live demonstration of the nomadic lifestyle. The department of social and tribal welfare showcased a mobile Anganwadi centre for nomadic children and displayed millet-based dishes prepared within the centre.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sitharaman visits NLST project site; lays wreath at Rezang La War Memorial in Ladakh
Leh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday visited the project site for National Large Solar Telescope near Pangong lake in the Union Territory of Ladakh, officials said. Sitharaman, who is currently on a four-day tour of the region, also laid a wreath at the Rezang La War Memorial in Chushul village and paid tribute to the martyrs, who laid down lives in the service of the nation, they said. NLST project aims to build a two-meter class optical and near-infrared telescope near the Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh at an altitude of around 4,200 meters. The primary goal is to conduct high-resolution studies of the solar atmosphere, focusing on understanding magnetic fields, solar activity and helioseismology. The Union minister was during her visit to the NLST project site in Merak briefed about the project by Indian Institute of Astrophysics Director Professor Annapurni Subramaniam, the officials said. On the third day of her visit, Sitharaman laid the foundation stone for a Mini Planetarium and Astro Globe at the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh's Changthang region. The initiative, sanctioned under the Special Development Package , comes at an estimated cost of ₹276.65 lakh and aims to promote scientific education, astro-tourism, stargazing, night sky programs and generate local employment, the officials said. At the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre's Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment Telescope facility in Hanle, Prof Subramaniam and K K Yadav from the Astrophysical Sciences Division, BARC, presented the telescope's current achievements and future plans. Applauding the efforts of the IIA and the local community, the minister remarked, 'This project symbolizes a collaborative spirit between the scientific and public community, a true matter of national pride.' She urged the development of programs tailored for the common public to spark interest in astrophysics through hands-on learning and proactively putting out content generated through these scientific centres. Sitharaman also visited Chushul, a vibrant village, and laid a wreath and paid tributes to the martyrs at the Rezang La War Memorial, the officials said. The War Memorial was constructed in the Chushul plains in 1963 at an altitude of over 15,000 feet, right at the border to honour the troops of Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon Regiment who had defended Rezang La and the surrounding areas on the Kailash Ranges in eastern Ladakh on November 18, 1962. The renovated Rezang La War Memorial was dedicated to the nation on November 18, 2021.
