6.5-Meter mirror telescope to boost Egypt's astronomical observation capabilities

CAIRO - 14 April 2025: Egypt is racing against time to complete the construction of its new astronomical observatory, poised to be the largest in the Middle East and a replacement for the Kottamia Astronomical Observatory. The latter's effectiveness has been compromised by surrounding urban development, necessitating the establishment of this ambitious new project.

Before detailing the new observatory, it's important to note the history of the Kottamia Astronomical Observatory, established in 1964. It is affiliated with the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) in Helwan, extending from the Helwan Observatory founded in 1903, making NRIAG one of the oldest research institutions in Egypt and the Middle East. Kottamia Observatory houses the largest telescope in the Arab world, the Middle East, and North Africa, with a primary mirror diameter of 188 cm. The observatory also includes a smaller telescope with a mirror diameter of approximately 35 cm.

The Kottamia Astronomical Observatory is located about 80 km from the center of Cairo towards Suez on the Ain Sokhna road, situated atop a mountain 468 meters above sea level.

The new observatory, the focus of this article, has been strategically located atop Mount Al-Rujum in South Sinai, one of the twenty highest mountain peaks in Egypt, with an altitude exceeding 1600 meters. Prime Minister's Decree No. 2265 of 2016 formed a committee for the observatory's establishment, and the foundation stone was laid in April 2024. The observatory's team includes Dr. Hadia Selim, head of the Sinai Astronomical Telescope Committee, Dr. Yousry Azzam, Dr. Mohamed Ismail, Dr. Mohamed Abdel Karim, Dr. Wagih Ahmed Badawy, and Dr. Abdelaziz Eid, along with technicians Ahmed Hassan, Awad Saber, Mohamed Ali, Mahmoud Nasser, and Mahmoud Khalil.

At the summit of Mount Al-Rujum in South Sinai, site testing equipment has been installed for the new "Sinai" Astronomical Observatory, a crucial project undertaken by NRIAG to serve as a successor to the existing Kottamia Observatory and its network of monitoring stations.

Following the installation of initial testing equipment, the plan for the new astronomical center includes deploying more precise instruments to measure climate factors, preliminary observation parameters, and analyze the collected data. This analysis will confirm the findings of initial studies conducted to ensure the correct site selection.

Site testing will span two years, during which comprehensive observations will be taken throughout the different seasons. Astronomical observation requires locations far from light pollution and at high altitudes, hence the selection of Mount Al-Rujum at an elevation of 1650 meters above sea level.

The installation of testing equipment involved experts and professors from NRIAG and is monitored around the clock. Data from these instruments is received via satellites and analyzed by NRIAG's equipment in Helwan to verify the suitability of the site for the new astronomical observatory.

The new observatory is slated to be equipped with a telescope featuring a primary mirror diameter of 6.5 meters, making it the largest of its kind in the Middle East. This will significantly enhance Egypt's astronomical observation capabilities, enabling further astronomical discoveries. Plans also include the establishment of an integrated astronomical city encompassing optical and radio astronomy, with the addition of other specializations in this field based on the rapid global technological advancements in astronomy.