ARIES, stands for Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, is a prominent astronomical institute of India. ARIES observatory was established after independence in 1955 but later on shifted to more appropriate location at Manora Peak in Nainital.
Known to have one of the most advanced telescopes in India, ARIES is setup as an autonomous institute imparting education on astronomical studies.
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Send Enquiry for Tour PackagesARIES hosts three telescopes of apertures 1.04m, 1.3m and 3.6m and an upcoming 4m Liquid Mirror Telescope. The 1.04m optical telescope, located at Manora Peak, near Nainital, is being used as a main observing facility by the ARIES scientists since 1972. Recent increase in light pollution due to Nainital city, ARIES has now developed a new astronomical site at Devasthal after a comprehensive site surveys done in different places in the Himalayan region.
The Institute has in-house workshops to meet the requirements of electronic, mechanical, and optical maintenance of the instruments. ARIES has a modern computer center with Internet and a library with more than 10,000 volumes of research journals and a collection of books on astronomy, astrophysics and atmospheric science.
Facilities at Aries Nainital
ARIES observatory is a centre of attraction for astronomy lovers in India. It remains open for general public to show astronomical instruments in working day time. During moonlight nights, observatory is open for four days a week to watch astronomical and celestial objects through the high power telescopes. Visitors are only permitted with prior permission. Visiting nights are fixed and depends upon clarity of sky.
Official website of Aries: https://www.aries.res.in/aries-0
Director
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)
Manora Peak, Nainital - 263001
Uttarakhand, India
Telephone Numbers
+91 - 5942 - 270721 (P.S. to Director)
+91 - 5942 - 270700 (Reception)
+91- 5942 - 233439
Email: directoraries[at]aries[dot]res[dot]in
ARIES Nainital is located in 9 kms from Nainital city ( Located on Manorma Peak).
Located at 9 kms before Nainital city on Kathgodam road, ARIES Observatory can be reach by taxi or bus from Nainital or Kathgodam(25 kms). One can also take small trek from Hanuman Garhi temple to ARIES.
By Road : ARIES, Nainital is connected by road to major centers of northern India. Some major road distances from the Institute are: Dehradun - 350 km, Delhi - 277 km, and Bareilly - 141 km.
By Air: Nearest Airport - Pantnagar (PGH) (70 km), New Delhi (NDLS) (350 km)
By Rail: Kathgodam is the nearest railway station - 35 Km from Nainital - which is connected by broad gauge to Delhi and Lucknow. Some important train connections from Kathgodam: Bagh Express (daily-Howrah), Ranikhet Express (daily-Delhi), Sampark Kranti Express (daily-Delhi), Shatabdi Express (daily-Delhi).
ARIES Nainital is popular place for following activities/ interests - Observatory.
