The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) Observatory situated at Khodad, Pune, Maharashtra has been accorded ‘Milestone’ facility status by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The status recognizes GMRT’s contributions for exploring the Universe through the field of Radio Astronomy. It is the 3rd Indian Project in 125 years to get such a recognition.

IEEE’s ‘Milestone’ facility status:

i.The IEEE Milestone programme aims to recognize important technical achievements which have global or regional impact.

ii.The science facility or experiment should have served humanity for at least 25 years.

Fact: Japan has 34 IEEE Milestone projects which is the highest in Asia.

Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT):

GMRT Observatory consists of a sequence of 30 fully steerable parabolic radio telescopes. It is operated by National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), which is a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.

i.It was conceived and built under the direction of Late Professor Govind Swarup, it was opened up for use by the Global Astronomy Community in 2002.

ii.GMRT has pioneered new techniques in antenna design, receiver systems, and signal transport over optical fiber.

iii.It has also led to important discoveries on pulsars, supernovae, galaxies, quasars, and cosmology, and has greatly enhanced human understanding of the universe.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE):

i.IEEE is the world’s largest association of technical professionals.

ii.The Main objective of the organization is the educational and technical advancement of electrical and electronic engineering, telecommunications, computer engineering and allied disciplines.