Tirupati: Students of Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV) will soon have an opportunity to explore night sky through the newly established Padmavati Space Observatory on the university campus. The observatory will be inaugurated on Thursday, at the premises of the university’s Saveri Guest House.
The facility has been established to provide students with practical exposure to astronomy and space science and to encourage their interest in related fields of study. The instruments installed at the observatory will be available to students for guided observations, making use of the clear skies in the Tirupati region.
The observatory is equipped with optical instruments for observing Moon, planets, bright star clusters and other deep-sky objects. The main instruments include a Newtonian reflector telescope, which offers higher light-gathering capability for observing fainter objects, and a Celestron PowerSeeker long-range telescope for extended-range astronomical viewing.
Celestron celestial binoculars have also been provided for wide-field viewing of Moon, star fields and bright clusters. Long-range spotting telescopes are available for terrestrial as well as astronomical observation. The facility also has 50 mm astronomical refracting telescopes mounted on tripods and fitted with different eyepiece assemblies.
These instruments are intended for introductory observations and student use. The university plans to conduct guided observation sessions using the equipment. The facility is expected to complement classroom learning by giving students direct experience of observing celestial objects and understanding basic astronomical observations.
Padmavati Space Observatory is located within the premises of Saveri Guest House. Students, particularly those from science and allied disciplines and others interested in astronomical observation, will be able to use the facility under guidance as part of university programmes.
