Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı met with Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır,  President of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Higher Education Prof. Dr. M. İ. Safa Kapıcıoğlu, and signed a cooperation protocol for the Eastern Anatolia Observatory. In the protocol, ATASAM Director Prof. Dr. Cahit Yeşilyaprak was also present.

At the meeting held at the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the signing ceremony of the protocol on the Establishment of Joint Research Infrastructure within the scope of Law No. 6550 was held between the TÜBİTAK National Observatory (TUG) and the Eastern Anatolia Observatory (DAG) within the body of Atatürk University Astrophysics Research and Application Center (ATASAM).

With the protocol, the joint use of the infrastructures of the National Observatory under TÜBİTAK and the Atatürk University Eastern Anatolia Observatory will be ensured. With this partnership, the DAG and Opal R&D infrastructures in Erzurum and the TUG infrastructure in Antalya will enable them to act jointly in terms of ensuring integrity in the missions determined within the scope of the National Space Program, and the related infrastructures will gain legal personality.

Rector Çomaklı: “It will contribute to the breakthroughs of our country”

Stating that the works at Atatürk University Eastern Anatolia Observatory, which is considered as an extremely important technological investment in terms of the scientific world, have come to an end, Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı said that it is set to receive the first light towards the end of this year in the DAG, whose installation continues on the Konaklı Karakaya Hills at an altitude of 3,170.

Rector Çomaklı also said: "After the telescope's construction is completed, it will start scientific studies following the mechanical, optical, electronic and software tests. “Within the scope of the protocol we signed with our TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, hosted by our Ministry of Industry and Technology, we will jointly use the infrastructure facilities of the two observatories and carry out research-oriented studies for the Domestic and National Technology move. I wish that the cooperation, which we believe will contribute to both the ongoing works in the defense industry and the breakthroughs made towards the national space program, will be beneficial for our country and our nation, especially for the two institutions.”

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE – 03.04.2022