Tuesday 07 September 2010:
Saif bin Zayed inaugurates Emirates New Mobile Telescope
HH Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, inaugurated Emirates New Mobile Observatory, on Wednesday. The new observatory is environment friendly and uses sustainable clean energy.
HH accompanied by Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Reisi, Director General of ADP Central Operations, reviewed the observatory fittings and equipment which include advanced telescope with high capabilities of magnification, adjustable ground fixers for the vehicle, three solar energy operated monitors to allow people to follow up the results of observation and astronomic researches.
HH listened to an explanation presented by Nazar Hazam Salam inventor of the Observatory and member of ADP Directorate General of Central Operations.
HH affirmed the keenness of our Higher Leadership to support all projects that serve the country and its people. HH lauded the efforts of the police force personnel in implementing an environment-friendly project dependent on clean energy. The project would raise scientific awareness in the community. He urged the inventor to continue his efforts in different scientific areas.
Salam appreciated the police leadership support to the project. “The new mobile observatory is provided with the latest technologies”, said Salam.
“The observatory together with authorities concerned will participate in moon sighting and in awareness areas at schools, universities, colleges, institutes and tourism.
“It is provided with mechanisms that allow the giant telescope to emerge through the roof opening which opens simultaneously with the movement of the telescope. The vehicle roof is balanced at ground level by use of advanced electric lifting apparatus. The telescope is also programmed with star positions coordinates, latitudes and longitudes. It moves automatically to more than 200 thousand astronomic target e.g. stars, planets and galaxies etc. Its images are sent through an advanced astronomic camera to the monitors”, added Salam.
“The first monitor is 25 inch and touch operated. It controls the telescope from outside the vehicle. The second is 42 inch LED monitor. It operates through energy saving luminary valves. The third is 60 inch LED monitor and it works as a projector. The shows can be watched inside and outside the vehicle”, added Salam.
“The vehicle is provided with outside loudspeakers which can be used for lectures. The observatory is also provided with portable keyboard and anti-water plugs, and solar energy-operated cooling system”, added Salam.
“Two wireless meteorology stations have been introduced. An air turbine is provided to charge the observatory through wind movement. The total solar energy of the vehicle or observatory reaches 800 watts. The battery power can be transformed to 220 volt electric current, by use of stored solar energy”, added Salam.
“Internal components of the observatory comprises: Electric electronic base bears 90 pound, 3 telescopes which can be rotated automatically according to space target, and 2 other telescopes to observe and study the sun’s surface”, added Salam.
“Inside the vehicle there are two computers to control the movement of telescopes, astronomic programmes, and they are provided with photography system and they can work through touch technology”, added Salam.