The 2.3 metre telescope was built over the years 1978 to 1985 and was dedicated as
the Vainu Bappu Telescope by the late Shri Rajiv Gandhi on 6th January 1986.
Twenty five years have passed and the VBT still remains the largest optical facility
in the country. It is still the only sizeable optical telescope fully designed and
built in India.
The dream of late M.K.V Bappu, of an optical telescope of sizeable aperture in
India had its origins soon after he took charge as the Director of the Kodaikanal
Observatory. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics itself was formed to embark on new
initiatives in optical astronomy. The founding Governing Council of the Institute led
by M.G.K Menon gave unstinting support and guidance to Vainu Bappu to commence building
the 90 inch telescope as it was referred to in those days. The telescope project was
exemplary in demonstrating the synergy of national laboratories and private industry
in building a state of the art facility with comparatively meagre resources.
This meeting commemorates the Silver Jubilee of the Vainu Bappu Telescope as it was named
on 6th January 1986. The meeting will have sessions with talks highlighting the science
done with the VBT over the years, as well as sessions recalling technical and historical
aspects of the VBT Project itself. The lectures and the inaugural programme are open to all. However,
participation in the meeting as a registered delegate is only by
invitation. Anyone particularly interested in attending the meeting as a
registered participant may send a request to | |
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