Atmospheric research observatory to come up at Catholicate College

An advanced atmospheric observation and research facility, the St. Basil Hills Atmospheric Research Observatory, is set to come up at Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, as part of a scientific collaboration with the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), Thiruvananthapuram.

The observatory is being established under the Union government’s Mission Mausam programme, with atmospheric observation systems to be installed on the college campus. NCESS, under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, will provide financial support of around ₹1.60 crore for the project, according to an official statement.

The observatory is expected to strengthen atmospheric observation and research on weather and climate and facilitate scientific assessment of the local impacts of climate change. It will enable continuous monitoring of atmospheric parameters, including temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, wind speed and wind direction.