National Large Solar Telescope
National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) is a proposed ground based 2-m class optical and near infra-red (IR) observational facility in the country. It is designed to address an array of key scientific issues related to origin and dynamics of solar magnetic fields at a spatial resolution of 0.1-0.3 arc-second. The instrument has a broad scope to support and substantiate the multitude of solar atmospheric observations from space-based ADITYA mission and ground based MAST telescope (Udaipur).
The telescope installation location is near the Pongong lake in Merak, Ladakh, at an altitude of around 4200m. Being a high altitude desert, this location is best suited for optical and near IR observations. The site also provides significant periods of coronagraphic skies (high transparency). The laminar winds with mild gusts throughout the day provide periods of outstanding seeing.
