LIGO: Gravitational waves observatory to be built to understand astronomical events, 2600 crore project approved

||India approves construction of LIGO|| LIGO: Gravitational waves observatory to be built to understand astronomical events, 2600 crore project approved|| LIGO India Project||

LIGO India will be operated by the Department of Atomic Energy. Three institutions of this department and an autonomous body of the UGC will share in its construction and operation.

The Central Government has approved the proposal to set up the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Web Observatory-India (LIGO India). The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the setting up of LIGO India at a cost of Rs 2600 crore.

The Department of Atomic Energy said in a statement issued in this regard, Gravitational waves can have an important role in better understanding of the universe and study of astronomical concepts like neutron stars and black holes. At least three observatories are needed to detect these waves and locate their source. Two are already established in the US. A memorandum of understanding was signed with the US in March 2016 in the presence of PM Narendra Modi to set up the third such observatory in India.

Department of Atomic Energy will operate

LIGO India will be operated by the Department of Atomic Energy. Three institutions of this department and an autonomous body of the UGC will share in its construction and operation.

Will be built in Hingoli, Maharashtra

174 hectares of land has been acquired in Hingoli district of Maharashtra for the project. Environmental clearance has also been received for the project.

||India approves construction of LIGO|| LIGO: Gravitational waves observatory to be built to understand astronomical events, 2600 crore project approved|| LIGO India Project||