Thai National Observatory

The Thai National Observatory crowns Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain, in Chiang Mai Province, giving it some of the clearest and highest-altitude skies in Southeast Asia.

About Thai National Observatory

Known as TNO, the observatory is the main facility of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) and became operational on 22 January 2013.

History

The observatory was built to give Thailand its first major professional research telescope, opening in 2013 as NARIT's flagship site atop Doi Inthanon within Doi Inthanon National Park.

Telescopes & research

TNO houses a 2.4-metre Ritchey-Chretien reflecting telescope, the largest in Southeast Asia, supported by an auxiliary station with offices, lodging, and public outreach facilities.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits at 2,457 metres elevation atop Doi Inthanon, in Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand - a setting that combines high altitude with the clean air of a national park.

Visiting Thai National Observatory

The observatory runs public outreach programmes alongside its research work; check the NARIT website for current visiting hours, tours, and any booking requirements before making the trip up the mountain.

See your named star from here

With Southeast Asia's largest telescope pointed skyward from one of the region's highest points, this is a serious place to think about precise coordinates. If you've named a star, its RA/Dec can be found here - browse the catalogue to see how it works.