In the Eastern Anatolia Observatory (DAG), which was established with the support of the Presidency Strategy and Budget Department and Atatürk University, on the Konaklı Karakaya Hills at an altitude of 3 thousand meters in Erzurum, which is among the 2023 vision projects of Turkey, on the one hand infrastructure works continue, on the other hand cooperation on scientific and research processes negotiations are ongoing.

In this context,  Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Prof. Dr. Cevahir Uzkurt, President of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı, Director of the Astrophysics Research and Application Center (ATASAM), Prof. Dr. Cahit Yeşilyaprak and Managers of sub-units attended the online committee meeting.

With the research infrastructures of the Eastern Anatolia Observatory (DAG) and Optomechatronics Research Laboratory (OPAL), which has been established within ATASAM, which has applied within the scope of Law No. 6550 on Supporting Research Infrastructures, and the National Observatory under TÜBİTAK, one of the important steps of the application process for establishing a joint research infrastructure and a comprehensive presentation. ATASAM's committee meeting was held.

Rector Çomaklı: “DAG Will Gain Very Serious Strategic Capabilities”

Stating that DAG is among the important investments of Atatürk University both in terms of R&D infrastructure and project, Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı said that when it is completed, it will become one of the centers that will gain momentum in the scientific and academic field. Rector Çomaklı also stated that they have the telescope with the largest mirror in one piece in Europe and that it will provide our country with very serious strategic capabilities.

Rector Çomaklı, “It will pave the way for observations from Turkey in invisible areas we call infrared. In this sense, Erzurum is one of the ideal places for sky observation. We have now reached the final stage in our observatory, which was built at 3 thousand 100 meters. While our work in the physical field continues, we continue our scientific and academic agreements, negotiations and collaborations, too. I would like to thank all the managers of public institutions, especially our Presidency, who supported our Eastern Anatolia Observatory, which is one of the vision projects of our country and will be among the prestigious centers when it is completed.”

Deputy Minister Kacır: “Erzurum is Located at the Intersection Point”

Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology, who chaired the meeting, stated that the Eastern Anatolia Observatory, which he visited many times and saw on-site, would add an important momentum to the scientific life of the country and said: “Erzurum is located at the intersection point of the sky. It offers us a unique opportunity to observe, both because of this feature and because the sky is less exposed to light pollution. For these reasons, we look forward to the opening of the observatory located in Konaklı with great excitement. I would like to thank Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı, ATASAM Director Prof. Dr.  Cahit Yeşilyaprak and his team, the TÜBİTAK delegation, the relevant units of our ministry, and wish the process to be beneficial.”

The committee meeting ended with the participants expressing that they found the establishment and academic process of DAG positive and successful and planning the next meeting.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE – 18.10.2022