The largest high altitude telescope in the world which will detect gamma ray emissions is all set to be transported to Hanle in Ladakh. It will be installed there by the summer of 2015 and will become operational by early 2016.

Secretary, DAE and Chairman of Atomic Commission R.K. Sinha will flag off the transportation of this telescope to Hanle on Saturday. It will be dismantled and transported in about 45 to 50 trucks to Ladakh.

The 'Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment' (MACE) Telescope will be the second largest telescope in the world and the largest at high altitude with a diameter of 21 m. The largest telescope of this kind is the HESS telescope in Namibia which has a diameter of 28 m. The responsibility of design, manufacturing, installation and commissioning of this telescope lies with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre to Electronics Corporation of India Limited.

Very high energy gamma rays will offer a unique insight into some extreme phenomena of the universe and the MACE telescope will enable scientists to study exotic objects like pulsars, active galactic nuclei and super nova remnants.

It will give a better understanding of high energy processes of the universe and will help to gain more insight into the origins of cosmic ray. When gamma ray photons enter the earth's atmosphere, they generate a shower of secondary charged particles which cause a flash of blue Cherenkov light that lasts a few nano seconds.

The telescope is made up of 356 indigenously manufactured mirror panels along with a high resolution imaging camera which is capable of detecting light flashes of extremely short duration such as Cherenkov events.

The telescope is 45 m tall and is designed to operate in winds speeds of 30 kmph and can retain structural integrity in parking position in winds speeds of up to 150 kmph.