The Entoto Observatory Space Science Research Center (EORC) is an

astronomical observatory An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial, marine, or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geophysical, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed. His ...

station located in

Mount Entoto Mount Entoto ( am, እንጦጦ) is the highest peak on the Entoto Mountains, which overlooks the city of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. It reaches 3,200 meters above sea level. Overview It is a historical place where Emperor Menelik II r ...

, close to

Addis Ababa Addis Ababa (; am, አዲስ አበባ, , new flower ; also known as , lit. "natural spring" in Oromo), is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. It is also served as major administrative center of the Oromia Region. In the 2007 census, t ...

Ethiopia Ethiopia, , om, Itiyoophiyaa, so, Itoobiya, ti, ኢትዮጵያ, Ítiyop'iya, aa, Itiyoppiya officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the ...

. The center was initiated during the establishment of the Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS) and officially launched center in 2012. The Entoto Observatory has twin 1m

telescopes A telescope is a device used to observe distant objects by their emission, absorption, or reflection of electromagnetic radiation. Originally meaning only an optical instrument using lenses, curved mirrors, or a combination of both to observe ...

installed in early 2014, and science operations began in early 2015. Final commissioning was completed by early 2015 after installation of essential supplemental equipment. Currently it is financed by member of universities, ESSS and the

Ethiopian government The government of Ethiopia () is the federal government of Ethiopia. It is structured in a framework of a federal parliamentary republic, whereby the prime minister is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. T ...

. It has a plan to expand the center in

Lalibela Lalibela ( am, ላሊበላ) is a town in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Located in the Lasta district and North Wollo Zone, it is a tourist site for its famous rock-cut monolithic churches. The whole of Lalibela is a large and important site ...

and other towns.

History

The Entoto Observatory and Space Science Research Center (EORC) was initiated during the establishment of the Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS) in 2004. The first initiative was conducted by the board members of ESSS and decided the establishment of Astronomy and Space Science Research center at Entoto and the Ethiopian Highlands. In 2011, the owner was asked by ESSS to develop a draft list of science drivers to support the establishment of the center. The center was established in 2012, supported by numerous private and public universities around the world. In 2013, the two done for the twin telescopes were completed by deserting the trees. The Entoto Observatory has twin 1m telescope installed in early 2014, and science operations began in early 2015. Final commissioning was completed by early 2015 after installment of internet connection, scientific equipments, light system, and testing equipment. Currently it is financed by member of universities, ESSS and the Ethiopian government.

Future benefit

The Entoto Observatory envisage benefits to the Ethiopian astronomers and those in East African region. It also said to boost the research programs and student training center. The initiative also selected potentially ideal place such as Lalibela for testing mission. Two sites have been set up with the requisite equipment (DIMMs, automatic weather stations, all sky cameras, sky brightness monitors) and infrastructure support (roads, housing) has been established.

References

{{reflist Science and technology in Ethiopia Astronomical observatories 2012 establishments in Ethiopia