Atatürk University Eastern Anatolia Observatory (DAG), which is among Turkey's vision projects, has successfully completed another stage towards its use as a joint research infrastructure in space sciences.

Under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, DAG, which is located within TÜBİTAK National Observatory (TUG) and Atatürk University Astrophysics Research and Application Centre (ATASAM), has completed another important stage towards becoming a Joint Research Infrastructure within the scope of Law No. 6550.

The partnership protocol for the establishment of a Joint Research Infrastructure with advanced class status was signed between TÜBİTAK and Atatürk University last year. An important stage has been reached in the structuring process for the R&D infrastructures within TUG and ATASAM to provide integrity and joint services in the tasks determined within the scope of the National Space Programme. Necessary updates were made in the joint application files of the relevant infrastructures and applications were submitted to the Research Infrastructures Commission. It was decided that the applications were successful and that the relevant R&D infrastructures met the necessary conditions to establish an advanced class joint research infrastructure. In this context, TÜBİTAK and Atatürk University signed the partnership application files and sent them to the Research Infrastructures Commission.

Rector Çomaklı: "Our Observatory will make a great contribution to the breakthroughs made by our country"

Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı stated that the work at the Eastern Anatolian Observatory, which is extremely important for the scientific world and is considered as an advanced class R&D investment in terms of Space Sciences and Technologies, has come to an end and said that the first light is planned to be taken in the summer months of this year in DAG, which is being installed in the Konaklı Karakaya Hills at an altitude of 3 thousand 170. After the mechanical, optical, electronic and software tests of Turkey's largest diameter and first IR telescope are carried out, scientific studies will begin. I wish that this R&D infrastructure and cooperation, which we believe will contribute to the breakthroughs made towards the National Space Programme, will be beneficial to our country and nation, especially to both institutions."

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE - 02.05.2023