The establishment process of the Eastern Anatolia Observatory (DAG), which is the largest basic science investment among Turkey's 2023 Vision Projects, is successfully carried out by Atatürk University Astrophysics Research and Application Center (ATASAM), in face of the geographical and atmospheric working conditions, especially of the pandemic conditions.

DAG Mirror will be in Erzurum in mid-November

In this context, the optical tests of the 4 meter diameter mirror of the DAG Telescope, which is now in Russia to be coated, were carried out in Moscow with the participation of the DAG technical team and passed the tests successfully. ATASAM Director stated that thanks to the financial support provided by the Atatürk University Rectorate, the road to the DAG campus was rehabilitated in a short period of 3 months and the largest telescope mirror of Turkey with a diameter of 4 meters, which will be brought to Erzurum by plane in mid-November 2021, has been made ready for transportation by road. Prof. Dr. Cahit Yeşilyaprak noted that the DAG building and the DAG Telescope dome have been completed, also adding that both insulation and performance tests will start this winter. He emphasized that the installation and construction of air conditioning - cooling - dust insulation systems continues at full speed.

First Light Planned at the End of 2022

Thanks to the special measures (vaccine, PCR test, hygiene, HES code applications) taken at the DAG campus to prevent the spread of the pandemic, there was no coronavirus case this year, and that 85% of the DAG Telescope installation was completed by working overtime, both domestic and foreign technical team and workers. Yeşilyaprak made the following remarks: “This process still continues despite the weather conditions in Erzurum. As at every stage of the installation process, mechanical, electrical-electronic, vibration, optics and software tests will also be carried out when it is completed. It is aimed to receive the first light by the end of 2022. Optical tests of the 4 meter diameter mirror of the DAG Telescope, which is now in Russia to be coated, were carried out in Moscow with the participation of the DAG technical team and it passed the tests successfully.

Rector Çomaklı: “DAG Will Contribute to Every Field Where Our Country Puts Its Claim”

Emphasizing that many collaborations were made with DAG even before it was fully completed, Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı stated that in line with the protocol signed with the General Directorate of Meteorology, an Automatic Meteorology Observation Station (OMGİ) was established at an altitude of 3170 meters and data flow was ensured.

Rector Çomaklı stated that both scientific publications and new projects emerged from these establishments and interdisciplinary studies carried out at DAG, and that 2 national and 1 international patent applications were made, and that the patenting process started in this direction. He also made the following remarks: In the Eastern Anatolia Observatory (DAG) Telescope, which is included in the National Space Program, where the the 10-year vision, strategies, goals and projects are determined in the field of space policies of Turkey, both administrative and financial as well as scientific and technical processes are progressing successfully. We are also very excited to be moving towards the end of such an important project that can contribute to every field in which our country puts its claim. With these feelings, I would like to thank everyone who worked devotedly towards the completion of our observatory.”

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE – 03.11.2021