Pathway to Devasthal astronomical observatory, ARIES

Abstract

Devasthal observatory, established over a period of ~ 5 decades, is located in the central Himalayan region of Devabhumi in Nainital district of Uttarakhand state, India. Operated and maintained by the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Science (ARIES), its location was selected after an extensive site survey. The first measurements of atmospheric seeing and extinctions at Devasthal were carried out from 1997 to 2001. Since 2010, three optical telescopes with apertures of 1.3, 3.6, and 4 m have been successfully installed at Devasthal. Optical and near-infrared observations taken with these telescopes testify to the global competitiveness of Devasthal observatory for astronomical observations. The article chronicles the collaboration with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, beginning around 1996, for the purpose of establishing the observatory. A brief overview of the main science results obtained using these facilities is also presented.