Context:
The Department of Posts release a commemorative postage stamp celebrating 125 years of the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO).
More on the News
- The 125th anniversary of the iconic Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO) was celebrated on 1 April 2024 by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).
- This commemorative stamp celebrates KSO’s rich history, remarkable scientific achievements, and unwavering contribution to society.
- The stamp is now available at Philatelic Bureaus across India and can also be purchased online.
Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics traces its origin to the Madras Observatory, started in 1786, and moved to Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, in 1899.
- Later renamed as the Kodaikanal Observatory, it has been functioning as a full-fledged solar and stellar observatory.
- In its present form, the IIA was set up in 1971 as an autonomous research institution to conduct research in Astronomy, Astrophysics, and allied areas of Physics.
- The institute is funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
- The KSO houses a digital repository of 1.2 lakh digitised solar images and thousands of other images of the Sun recorded every day since the start of the 20th century.
Other key observatories in India
| Observatory | Location | Established | Operated By | Specialization / Notes |
| Madras Observatory | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 1792 | (Merged with KSO in 1899) | First observatory in the region; recorded solar, lunar, stellar, and planetary data (1812–1825) |
| Indian Astronomical Observatory | Hanle, Ladakh | 1997 | Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) | One of the world’s highest observatories. |
| Mt. Abu Infrared Observatory | Gurushikhar, Rajasthan | 1990 | Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) | Specializes in infrared astronomy |
| Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope | Pune, Maharashtra | 1984-1996 | National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) | Focuses on radio astronomy |