...

Russia to study outer space from Uzbekistan

Business Materials 25 June 2018 15:24 (UTC +04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, June 25

By Fikret Dolukhanov – Trend:

Russia and Uzbekistan will complete construction of the unique Suffa radio telescope in the south of Uzbekistan for studying outer space, RIA Novosti reported citing president of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Alexander Sergeev.

According to him, the road map of the project is to be prepared in the near future, which will strengthen the Russian presence in Uzbekistan and become a symbol of the revival of ties between the two countries.

Sergeev reminded that construction of this 70-meter radio telescope began in 1985 on the Suffa plateau, but was mothballed in 1991. The state of the facility was assessed in 2005.

“Now, a decision has been made at the level of the leaders of states that the Suffa radio telescope will be completed within the framework of the international observatory,” Sergeev said.

Vice-President of the RAS Yuri Balega in his turn explained that the millimeter wavelength range allows seeing the nucleation sites of stars, the nuclei of distant galaxies, the distant past of the Universe.

The head of the RAS noted that several radio telescopes with characteristics close to the Suffa’s operational parameters have been built in the world, and therefore positioning of the telescope has to be decided upon.

“But the Suffa has a number of advantages that make this radio telescope unique. We identified several very important areas that would confirm the relevance of the construction of the telescope,” Sergeev said.

In addition, scientists from Russia and Uzbekistan are discussing possibility of building another millimeter-wave telescope on the site of the Uzbek Maidanak Observatory, which would also work in conjunction with Suffa. Sergeev noted that “it would be very interesting” if scientists from third countries participate in the work of Suffa.

“I think that they will come to the project eventually,” the head of the RAS added.

Sergeev noted that according to optimistic estimates, the telescope can be completed by 2024. The Russian side will be responsible for the instrumental part of the project, whereas Uzbekistan will be responsible for creating the necessary infrastructure.

The head of the RAS added that the project cost is estimated at about $100 million, while in 2005 it was roughly $50 million.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov

Tags:
Latest

Latest