Keeping in view with the ultimate mission of promoting scientific prosperity and social development in the country, LUMS inaugurated its first ever space observatory on the campus. This state-of-the-art facility is now home to a universe magnifying Celestron CGE Pro Series Telescope on the fourth floor of the Gad & Birgit Rausing Library and opens up yet another important branch of studies: Observational Astronomy.
At the space observatory, visitors can witness planetary movements, deep sky objects, gaze at the violent sun and the moon. Built not just for an experienced astronomer, the telescope has a hand control to centre objects and comes with a complete step-by-step guide explaining its features and alignment procedures. Researchers and students can study and marvel at the stars, nebulae and galaxies; all captured by the Telescope. The facility will attract greater number of researchers to be a part of LUMS.
Addressing the gathering at the launch, the LUMS Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. S. Sohail H. Naqvi said, "LUMS is known for its innovation and focused research. This observatory is a milestone for us and reinstates our prestige and calibre that sets us apart from other universities.”
The new telescope has been bought on board as a joint collaboration between the Society for Promotion and Development of Engineering and Sciences (SPADES), a LUMS student-run society and the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE), which was established to promote engineering and sciences across the nation. It aims to support innovative endeavours of budding scientists at the grass root level by providing them a global platform.
