Egyptian delegation in China for astronomical cooperation

CAIRO – 6 June 2017: An Egyptian delegation from the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics has visited China to follow up on talks to build a new astronomical telescope in Egypt, and to preview Chinese abilities in that domain.

The Minister of High Education and Scientific Research told Egypt Today that Egypt needs a new telescope that is more developed, taller, and larger to achieve more in the field of astronomy and geophysics.

The delegation’s mission was to produce a protocol for cooperation between the National Institute and the Chinese National Institute for Observatories in the fields of astronomy and optical devices of astronomical observatories, artificial satellites and spatial debris. The protocol was signed during President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s visit to China in 2015, according to Al-Ahram.

The delegation also discussed the possibility of a Chinese cooperation to build an SLR station at the Egyptian National Institute. They will also discuss an exchange of data concerning laser-guided star technology.

The delegation visited laboratories and workshops on telescope mirrors and optical devices at Nanjing Institute of Astronomical optics and Technology. China has a laser station at Shang Shung Institute that specializes in tracking satellites and spatial debris. The Institute of Astronomical optics and Technology houses a number of museums and expositions in Beijing’s planetarium.

Egyptian researchers Ashraf Tadros, PhD., and Makram Ibrahim, Ph.D., delivered three lectures on Egypt’s astronomical abilities at the Chinese National Institute for Observatories, Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics and Technology and the Shang Shung Institute.