Diary of an Astro-nomad – III

July 2010, visit to the incredible High Altitude Gamma Ray Telescope (HAGAR)  at The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO)Hanle, Ladakh, India.

Set in the high latitude desert of ladakh at an altitude of 14,500 feet, the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) at Hanle, is one of the world’s highest sites for optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes. The latter collect gamma rays, one of the most enigmatic and energetic forms of light in the universe, created by celestial events such as supernova explosions, the creation of black holes and the decay of radioactive material in space. Hanle exists today as a site of pilgrimage for astronomers across India, amateurs and professionals alike, drawn as much by the spectacular skies as by the stark landscape.