Uzbekistan launches all-sky telescope at Maidanak

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A multi-lens telescope complex designed to observe virtually the entire sky simultaneously has been installed and commissioned at Uzbekistan’s Maidanak Astronomical Observatory. The system was developed by scientists from the Mirzo Ulugbek Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan said.

The new complex consists of 31 independent optical modules equipped with highly sensitive CMOS cameras. It can simultaneously observe areas of the sky more than 20 degrees above the horizon and detect celestial objects as faint as 14th magnitude.

One of the system’s main tasks will be the detection and monitoring of fast-moving objects. The complex is designed to observe near-Earth asteroids, meteors, bolides, artificial satellites and space debris.

The telescope is an automated astronomical monitoring system. Data from the 31 imaging units are processed in real time using 16 computers. The system generates an average of 6-7 terabytes of astronomical data per day, while a 150-terabyte storage system has been provided to store the data.

The complex is also equipped with software that automatically detects moving objects in images using deep-learning algorithms. The system can track the trajectories of detected objects, determine their astronomical coordinates and calculate preliminary orbital parameters.

The telescope can also be operated remotely, with observations planned automatically. The complex monitors temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure, as well as wind speed.

According to the Academy of Sciences, the telescope was installed at the Maidanak Observatory because of the high-altitude location, clean atmosphere and stable conditions for astronomical observations. These conditions create opportunities for regular monitoring of near-Earth space.

The Academy of Sciences said the commissioning of the complex will expand Uzbek scientists’ capabilities to observe near-Earth objects and work with large volumes of astronomical data. The equipment can also be used for international research in space monitoring and for training specialists using modern observation technologies.

The telescope installation was the result of scientific and technical cooperation between Uzbekistan and China. The complex was commissioned ahead of the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence.