User talk:Sodchuen/National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Public Organization)

National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (or NARIT) is a research-emphasis institute providing a collaborative network for developing and strengthening knowledge in astronomy so as to meet international standards. Its main aim is to develop not only astronomical research but also formal and informal education in astronomy in Thailand at all levels. The Institute also promotes learning culture in astronomy for the public and thus encourages them to seek further involvement with science and technology. Upon the consensus of the Cabinets, NARIT has acquired a National Membership of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in August, 2006.

Establishment

In 2004, the Thai Government approved the establishment of the National Astronomical Research of Thailand to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of King Rama IV and also to celebrate the auspicious occasion of the 80th year coming of age for King Rama IX (King Bhumipol Adulayadej)in 2007.

Mission Statement

Boonrucksar Soonthornthum, NARIT's present Director, outlined briefly the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand's mission.

"In this era of knowledge-based society, research has become a crucial tool in addressing the challenges the astronomical community is facing at the frontier of knowledge. Through NARIT, we will be able to set up a collaborative research network both regionally and globally aiming at developing and strengthening knowledge in astronomy, so as to meet international standards.Our education and public outreach programmes are designed to inspire younger generations to become explorers in astronomy on research-based technology and to reach out to groups and individuals who have been under-represented in astronomy science enterprise."

Article VII, Purpose, Ordinance of establishment of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Public Organization), 2008 defines NARIT's mission statement:

"NARIT's purpose shall be to provide for and promote cooperation and networks in astronomical research and education among relevant organizations on both national and international levels."

Facilities

NARIT's headquarter is in Chiangmai province in the Northern part of Thailand. The Director has his office here. The headquarter also functions as the center of administration and houses the offices for personnel, strategy and budget, finance, internal audit, legal affairs, IT and international affairs. To facilitate all the communication, NARIT has also set up its liaison office in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.

Thai National Observatory is the main facility of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, located at the very top of Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand. At 2,457 meters above the mean sea level, the observatory has superb seeing conditions suitable for ground-based observations. The Observatory houses a 2.4-meter reflecting telescope with an alt-azimuth drive system. This system has been synchronized with automatic control of the dome structure.



In addition to the main National Observatory at Doi Inthanon, NARIT has been committed to establish 5 more provincial observatories scattered through the five geographical zones of the country. These observatories, though modest in scale comparing to the main National Observatory, will allow the public in the areas and nearby districts to gain better access to information in astronomy and space technology. These provincial public observatories are situated in Nakorn Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chachoengsao, Pitsanuloke and Songkla, representing the lower north- eastern, the upper north-eastern, the eastern, the lower northern and the southern parts of Thailand respectively. Each of the so-mentioned public observatories is equipped with a 0.5 meter telescope, a CCD camera, and a spectrograph. Most of them are expected to operate in their full capacities not later than 2015. The already existing observatory in the North, Sirindhorn Observatory, has become a alliance of NARIT observatories in early 2009.

Cooperation with other organizations and countries

NARIT has signed memoranda of understanding on collaboration and cooperation in integrative research work and education in astronomy with various international astronomical institutes and observatories as follows: 1.  The Memorandum of Understanding between NARIT and Yunnan Observatory, Academia Sinica, PRC to conduct a research on binary-stars. 2.  The Memorandum of Understanding between NARIT and Jodrell Bank Observatory, University of Manchester, United Kingdom to carry out a research on radio astronomy. 3.  The Memorandum of Understanding between NARIT and Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute(KASI), Korea. 4.  The Memorandum of Understanding between NARIT and Astrophysics Research Center for the Structure and Evolution of the Cosmos (ARCSEC), Korea. 5.  The Memorandum of Understanding between NARIT and the Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom.

NARIT's Research Areas of Interest

The main active areas are: Structure and Evolution of Binary- star Systems, Mechanism of Pulsars in Radio- frequency region, Design and construction of systems for imaging and spectroscopy on ground-based telescopes, Design and making of teaching medias and equipments in Astronomy.