Al Amin :
The country’s first and a full-fledge Astro observatory has been set up aiming at facilitating the country’s space researchers.
The observatory was built by the personal efforts of Veteran freedom fighter and businessman Shahjahan Mridha Benu at his own land at ‘Benu Vita’2
in Sreepur, Gazipur, which will create a new opportunity for local astronomy researchers.
The initiative has already created a huge enthusiasm among the space researchers of different educational institutions.
The work of the non-profitable observatory has already been completed with the design and the technology of Benu.
Within a few days, those interested in astronomical research will have the opportunity to conduct research here and it will become a space research center with the participation of famous astronomy researchers from home and abroad.
A new field of research is being introduced through this, said Benu.
Benu set up the country’s first observatory in cooperation with Dipen Bhattacharya, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Moreno Valley College in the United States.
Maksuda Afrus Khuki, first and only doctorate holder on Cosmology and Dark, and other Bangladeshi Astro scientist are affiliated with this observation, Bhattacharya said after visiting the Astro observatory on Thursday.
Benu is one of the people who started the practice of astronomy in the country with the science lovers.
He is one of the pioneers in the practice of astronomy, he led the research, observation, and celebration of all astronomical events in past-independence of Bangladesh, Bhattacharya also said.
Benu hopes that students from public and private universities and colleges will be able to conduct regular space observation and research with NASA, CNSA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency through the Astro observatory.
“Benu Vita” is about 80 bighas of land adjacent to Bagher Bazar in Sreepur Upazila of Gazipur.
The night sky is being observed with the help of the 14-inch mead-Cassegrain telescope in the initial stage of this observatory, Benu said.
More sophisticated 100-inch diameter refractor telescope will be attached here in future, he added.
There are also plans to install a radio telescope at the observatory, he said. Benu is also president of the Astro division of Anushandhitshu Chokro and Bangladesh Astro Foundation. Those organizations will manage the Astro Observatory.
