Asia’s Largest and World’s Highest Imaging Cherenkov Observatory

Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) inaugurated the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory at Hanle, Ladakh on October 4, 2024.

Significance: MACE is Asia's largest and the world's highest imaging Cherenkov telescope.

Location: Situated at an altitude of approximately 4,300 meters, Hanle provides ideal conditions for astronomical observations.

Construction: The telescope was indigenously built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with support from ECIL (Electronics Corporation of India Limited) and other Indian industry partners.

Purpose: MACE will observe high-energy gamma rays from celestial phenomena such as supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts, contributing to global efforts in understanding these energetic events.

About Cherenkov telescope A Cherenkov telescope is a type of telescope designed to detect high-energy gamma rays from cosmic sources.

Applications: Cherenkov telescopes are used to study astronomical phenomena such as supernovae, black holes, gamma-ray bursts, and other high-energy events in the universe.