The K.U. Observatory or Karachi University Observatory ( ur, ) is located in the campus area of

Karachi University The University of Karachi ( sd, ; informally Karachi University, KU, or UoK) is a public research university located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Established in June 1951 by an act of Parliament and as a successor to the University of Sindh (whi ...

. The KU

space observatory A space telescope or space observatory is a telescope in outer space used to observe astronomical objects. Suggested by Lyman Spitzer in 1946, the first operational telescopes were the American Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, OAO-2 launched ...

is operated by the

Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics The Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics, also known as by its abbreviation ISPA, is a premier and national research institute of the University of Karachi, engaging the theoretical and applied studies and research into topics pertaining ...

. The space observatory was last built in 1995 as a part of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The KU Observatory can resist all seismological challenges as its pillars go 15 feet deep into the ground. The

telescope 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 ...

has a motor that keeps pace with the movement of the

earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's surfa ...

making any object under view always visible without any readjustments.

Important observations

In 1976 an observation of comet Wardell-76a was first made. The

comet A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that, when passing close to the Sun, warms and begins to release gases, a process that is called outgassing. This produces a visible atmosphere or coma, and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena ar ...

has an orbital period of over 20,000 years. Initial measurements indicated that there is no chance of a collision with the

References

External links

Karachi University ObservatoryWorld Space Week at KU ObservatoryGoogle Maps-KU Observatory
{{SUPARCO Space programme of Pakistan Science and technology in Pakistan Astronomical observatories in Pakistan University of Karachi 1995 establishments in Pakistan