Panaji: Goa’s only public astronomical observatory, run by the Association of the Friends of Astronomy (AFA) at Junta House in Panaji, has been left without a functional home. Its equipment, including telescopes and scientific instruments, has been shifted to the ground floor of an unfinished govt building at St Inez and placed in temporary storage. The relocation follows the impending demolition of the Junta House building.“The new four-storey govt building is too short and its electricity, water, lift facilities and other interior works are still pending. The terrace, initially discussed as a possible location for the observatory, has also been covered with a shed, making installation of the dome there impossible at present,” said AFA president Satish Nayak.“As a result, the observatory’s equipment has been moved into a couple of rooms on the ground floor. All our telescopes are in temporary storage. The AFA office staff and volunteers are left without a regular workplace, while internet connectivity and other basic facilities are unavailable,” he said.Among the equipment relocated is a 14-inch Celestron telescope valued at over Rs 15 lakh. A 10-inch astrograph used to photograph galaxies and other celestial objects, worth about Rs 10 lakh, has also been moved. Large glass display cases and other delicate installations remain at Junta House after the building’s lift was disconnected, complicating their removal.“Shifting became so complicated after access to Junta House was restricted that we had to approach the PWD principal chief engineer for our belongings and were eventually provided a duplicate key,” he said.The uncertainty has cast doubt on the observatory’s reopening. The facility traditionally reopens to the public on Nov 14 each year, but operations are unlikely to resume this year unless an alternative site is found.“We don’t have a place to go. AFA depends heavily on continuous public activity to attract students, members and visitors. We have sought an appointment with the chief minister to seek an alternative arrangement,” Nayak told TOI.
