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Indonesia to Build Southeast Asia's Largest Observatory

Indonesia to Build Southeast Asia's Largest Observatory

The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan) is set to build Southeast Asia's largest observatory in Timau in the Kupang regency of East Nusa Tenggara, an official said.

On Monday, Kupang regent Ayub Titu Eki revealed that plans are already under way in conjunction with Lapan, as reported by tempo.co. The observatory is expected to encourage tourism in the area as well as developing the region as a research and technology center.

"Lapan will develop the facility to be a natural tourism site that would be attractive to tourists," Titu said.

Mount Timau, Indonesia. Image: Deangeomatics.com
Mount Timau, Indonesia. Image: Deangeomatics.com

 

An advanced telescope measuring 3.8 meters in diameter would be placed in the building, Titu said, adding that it would be the largest in Southeast Asia.

Lapan said the mountainous region of Timau is considered a strategic spot for space observation, covering both northern and southern directions.

Lapan is in the beginning stages of developing the facility, Titu said, adding that several heavy vehicle units had been being delayed due to severe road damage throughout the Kupang region.

Image: Antara Foto/Muhammad Arif Pribadi
Image: Antara Foto/Muhammad Arif Pribadi

 

"The Kupang regional government has informed the central government to repair the damaged roads because the observatory’s construction is earmarked for early next year," he added.

In the meantime, he said, Lapan is also currently building a science center in the Tilong area in Central Kupang on an area spanning 40 hectares that would be dedicated to research.


Source : The Jakarta Post

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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