National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand
| สถาบันวิจัยดาราศาสตร์แห่งชาติ NARIT | |
| Public Organization overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2004 |
| Type | Research institute |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Thailand |
| Headquarters | Chiang Mai, Thailand 18°51′10″N 98°57′30″E / 18.8527°N 98.9584°E |
| Public Organization executive |
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| Parent department | Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation |
| Website | www |
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, or NARIT, is a research institute under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. NARIT's headquarters are in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The main missions of the institute are to carry out, support, and promote the development of astronomy and astrophysics in Thailand through research, public outreach, and educational activities.
NARIT was established in 2004 as NARI (National Astronomical Research Institute), a statutory government institute under the Ministry of Science and Technology, to commemorate Bhumibol Adulyadej's 80th birthday. On 27 December 2008, the status of NARIT was changed to a non-profit public governmental organization.
The Thai National Observatory (TNO) is NARIT's main facility. TNO rests on Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, in Doi Inthanon National Park, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province. In 2020, NARIT completed the construction of the Thai National Radio Telescope (TNRO), a 40-meter single-dish short-millimeter telescope at the Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Centre, in the Doi Saket District of the Chiang Mai Province.