Modi, Michel activates Asia's biggest telescope 'ARIES'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel activated the Asia's biggest telescope, the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences or ARIES project, in Brussels, on Wedneday.

"Even the sky is not the limit for the ARIES Telescope" said Prime Minister Modi after activating the instrument.

The Prime Minister added that it is not just a government-to-government initiative but a win-win collaboration between private sectors as well.

The ARIES telescope has been a joint international effort between Indian, Russian and Belgian scientists.

The 3.6-metre optical telescope is located at a height of 2,500 metres at Devasthal in Nainital and is said to be a great tool to advance the astronomical research.

In March 2007, India's Aries and Belgian company Advanced Mechanical and Optical Systems (AMOS) had entered into a contract for design, manufacture, integration, testing, supply and installation of the telescope.