Viet Nam's first observatory to open next month

The Viet Nam National Space Centre and the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology held a meeting on August 18 to hand over the technology of the observatory.

The project was ground broken in 2014 at Hon Chong island in Nha Trang City. It was one of two observatories implemented by the Viet Nam National Space Centre. The second observatory will come into operation next year at Hoa Lac high-tech park in Ha Noi.

The structure consists of a telescope with a diameter of 50cm. With a capacity of 60 people, access to the observatory will be given to tourists and local residents, especially students who wish to study terrestrial and celestial events. The observatory also comprises a display room with a total area of 200m2.

Professor Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Viet Nam National Space Centre reported that equipment in both observatories was imported from Italy, while their construction cost is estimated at VND120 billion (US$5.2 million).

The observatory will be a place to observe astronomical events as well as a potential tourist attraction for the city. The building will provide local residents with a better look at such phenomena as meteor./.

By Kim Loan