Site characterization for the UPSO-TIFR telescope

Abstract

The Uttar Pradesh State Observatory, Naini Tal and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai plan to install jointly a 3 metre size optical telescope at Devasthal located east of Naini Tal about 50 km by road. The site has been selected after a decade of survey in Kumaon and Garhwal hills. The altitude of the peak is 2450 +/- 5 meters, while longitude and latitude are 79d 40' 57'' E and 29d 22' 46'' N respectively. The location of the site is such that logistics of access and transportation are not too difficult and at the same time, it is far from urban development, has more than 200 astronomically useful nights, dark sky, low atmospheric extinction and most importantly seeing better than 1 arcsec for about 40% of the time. Extensive efforts are going on to characterize the site more precisely.