Visit Radio Astronomy Centre

RAC Building

The Radio Astronomy Centre (RAC) is purely a research organization engaged in research & training Ph.D students in the field of Radio Astrophysics.

It operates the Ooty Radio Telescope (ORT), which is an equatorial mounted cylindrical parabolic of size 530 m long and 30 m wide. The visiting students will be shown a video show on the radio telescope and basics of radio astronomy. They can also visit the telescope site and watch the rotation of the telescope (if possible). If you are bringing students for any industrial visit, you may please note that RAC is not a factory. No transport or accommodation will be provided by this centre for the above visit.

This visit is offered absolutely FREE of Cost.

Saturdays and Sundays are holidays for the centre & hence if you plan to visit this centre on Saturdays, Sundays and Govt. holidays, you will be able to watch only the video show.

The Radio Astronomy Centre is open to the public on all week days, every week. Visitors will need to pre-register with us.
Note that we can accommodate not more than 60 people per session; we recommend registering early, especially for large groups. The sessions are

  • Morning    : 10 AM to 12 noon (reporting time: 10 AM)
  • Afternoon : 02 PM to 04 PM (reporting time: 02 PM)

In addition, the Radio Astronomy Centre is open to the public throughout the day on the National Science Day. (i.e. February 28), every year.

Institutions/Organizations/Colleges/Schools:

Please send your request by email to racvisit@ncra.tifr.res.in through the Principal / HOD with your institute/organization letter head and attach request letter scan copy with your email and send atleast 10 days in advance. Please mention the number of students, staffs and on which date you prefer to visit our Institute.

The Radio Astronomy Centre is about 8 km from Ooty, and 1.5 km from the Muthorai. You can find us on googlemaps.

How to reach RAC:

* Two ways to reach RAC from Udhagamandalam (Ooty) bus station:

(1) Board a bus going towards M.Palada/Kilkavatty/Ithalar/Nanjanad/Kallakorai/Emerald/Avalanche and alight at Muthorai village.
      RAC is about 1 km away from Muthorai. A pleasant uphill walk.

(2) Board a bus going towards Melkavatty and alight at RAC/CRL gate. RAC is about 1.5 km away from it.

* Main airports and railway stations nearer to Udhagamandalam : Coimbatore, Bangalore.

* Bus route

From Coimbatore (Bus starts from Coimbatore New bus stand) to Udhagamandalam via Mettupallayam, Coonoor or Kothagiri.

From Bangalore to Udhagamandalam via Mysore, Gundlupet, Gudalur.