ID :
46407
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 16:07
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/46407
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TRA, EIAST sign MoU on UAE National Astronomical Telescope
Abu Dhabi, Feb 19, 2009 (WAM) - The UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and Emirates Institution for Advanced Science '&' Technology (EIAST) signed yesterday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), whereby the TRA will sponsor the establishment of a National Astronomical Telescope for the UAE (Emirates Telescope Project) under the technical and scientific supervision of the EIAST that will coordinate with all relevant parties.
The signing ceremony took place at the TRA offices in Abu Dhabi. by Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General, and Ahmad Obaid Al Mansoori, EIAST Director General.
Al Ghanim said: "It is within the strategy of the TRA to support research and development in the ICT Sector and all scientific sectors. Hence, this MoU is within such a spirit, where the TRA has allocated special spectrum frequencies for astronomical services." "The aim of this project is to contribute to the advancing of research and development base in the UAE, for advancements of science and astronomical infrastructure, for scientific knowledge transfer to UAE Nationals, to raise public awareness and enthusiasm for the science of astronomy, as well as a tourist attraction; especially with the government aim at developing specialized museums in the UAE The stakeholders of the project will be the universities and the academic institutions along with the Emirates Astronomical Society, the Meteorological Department, Knowledge Authority, Islamic Affairs Department, tourism authorities, and museums in the UAE," added Al Ghanim.
"However, due to geographical boundaries and measures, the professional team of the EIAST will conduct site surveys to allocate the best location for the telescope; where EIAST responsibilities include conducting feasibility and studies along with an overall geographical survey to reach a solid vision for the best implementation of the project and the proper size of the telescope to cope with the needs of the UAE," concluded Al Ghanim.
Still, the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) Committee for West Asia was formed in the Gulf during a workshop on IHY in the UAE, in November 2005, with the participation of Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. In this workshop, a number of participants proposed the establishment of a Gulf Observatory of 2-3m optical telescope; bearing in mind that Saudi Arabia and Syria each is planning for a 2m telescope, Libya has purchased a 2m robotic telescope, Egypt already operates a 2m optical telescope, and Turkey and India already have a number of observatories and telescopes.
Finally, in comparison with the establishment of other similar projects, the time estimate for this project is divided into two parts. The concept, planning and design would take two years followed by three years for implementation; hence, the overall estimated time would be 5 years.
The signing ceremony took place at the TRA offices in Abu Dhabi. by Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General, and Ahmad Obaid Al Mansoori, EIAST Director General.
Al Ghanim said: "It is within the strategy of the TRA to support research and development in the ICT Sector and all scientific sectors. Hence, this MoU is within such a spirit, where the TRA has allocated special spectrum frequencies for astronomical services." "The aim of this project is to contribute to the advancing of research and development base in the UAE, for advancements of science and astronomical infrastructure, for scientific knowledge transfer to UAE Nationals, to raise public awareness and enthusiasm for the science of astronomy, as well as a tourist attraction; especially with the government aim at developing specialized museums in the UAE The stakeholders of the project will be the universities and the academic institutions along with the Emirates Astronomical Society, the Meteorological Department, Knowledge Authority, Islamic Affairs Department, tourism authorities, and museums in the UAE," added Al Ghanim.
"However, due to geographical boundaries and measures, the professional team of the EIAST will conduct site surveys to allocate the best location for the telescope; where EIAST responsibilities include conducting feasibility and studies along with an overall geographical survey to reach a solid vision for the best implementation of the project and the proper size of the telescope to cope with the needs of the UAE," concluded Al Ghanim.
Still, the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) Committee for West Asia was formed in the Gulf during a workshop on IHY in the UAE, in November 2005, with the participation of Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. In this workshop, a number of participants proposed the establishment of a Gulf Observatory of 2-3m optical telescope; bearing in mind that Saudi Arabia and Syria each is planning for a 2m telescope, Libya has purchased a 2m robotic telescope, Egypt already operates a 2m optical telescope, and Turkey and India already have a number of observatories and telescopes.
Finally, in comparison with the establishment of other similar projects, the time estimate for this project is divided into two parts. The concept, planning and design would take two years followed by three years for implementation; hence, the overall estimated time would be 5 years.
