History of ARIES: A premier research institute in the area of observational sciences

TL;DR

ARIES is a leading Indian research institute with a seven-decade legacy in observational sciences, contributing to atmospheric, astrophysical research, and hosting advanced telescopes for multi-wavelength celestial observations.

Contribution

The paper highlights ARIES's historical contributions, its unique observational capabilities, and its recent establishment of a 3.6-meter optical telescope, enhancing India's astrophysical research.

Findings

Contributions to climate change studies through aerosol and trace gas characterization.

Precise observations leading to significant astrophysical discoveries.

Hosting India's first 4-meter class optical telescope for advanced observations.

Abstract

The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), a premier autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has a legacy of about seven decades with contributions made in the field of observational sciences namely atmospheric and astrophysics. The Survey of India used a location at ARIES, determined with an accuracy of better than 10 meters on a world datum through institute participation in a global network of Earth artificial satellites imaging during late 1950. Taking advantage of its high-altitude location, ARIES, for the first time, provided valuable input for climate change studies by long term characterization of physical and chemical properties of aerosols and trace gases in the central Himalayan regions. In astrophysical sciences, the institute has contributed precise and sometime unique observations of the celestial bodies leading to a number of discoveries. With the installation of the 3.6 meter Devasthal optical telescope in the year 2015, India became the only Asian country to join those few nations of the world who are hosting 4 meter class optical telescopes. This telescope, having advantage of geographical location, is well-suited for multi-wavelength observations and for sub-arc-second resolution imaging of the celestial objects including follow-up of the GMRT, AstroSat and gravitational-wave sources.