Bosscha Observatory: Challenges as a scientific heritage of astronomy in Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. With over 80 years of existence, Bosscha Observatory in Lembang, West Java, Indonesia, still stands as one of the largest observatories that is registered by International Astronomical Union in the South East Asia region. Since first commissioned by the NISV (Netherlands Indische Sterrenkundige Vereeniging), Bosscha Observatory had played a major role in astronomy, particularly in research and observational activities in the southern hemisphere. But the current development has produced a serious impact on Bosscha Observatory, both tangible and intangible. With the challenges Bosscha Observatory faced the past decades, what can be done in the future to conserve not only the tangible value but most importantly the intangible value it embraces for the scientific development? This paper emphasizes its values, and opens some perspectives and ideas for conserving a (candidate to) Astronomy and World Heritage site. This important issue of how to best preserve the scientific value of this scientific heritage it embodied is discussed in some detail.

Machine learning-based spatial data development for optimizing astronomical observatory sites in Indonesia

“…Several conditions, such as poor air quality due to trends in forest fire activity, and anthropogenic sources that increased the AOD value and high cloud and rain intensity in several areas, caused a low value of the observatory suitability index for this atmospheric factor. The highest probability for potential observatory sites is distributed throughout the mountainous regions of Indonesia with an area of roughly 369,000 km 2 . In contrast, the least suitable areas for observatories are primarily found along the coastlines of islands such as Kalimantan and Sumatera.…”

“…Fig 11 shows the integration of the combined observatory suitability index results with multiple risk indices of air pollution. In general, Indonesia is dominated by areas with minimal air pollution, so the potential for determining favorable observatory locations remains quite high, and the widest area is indicated by the "high astronomical suitability-low air pollution risk" class with an area of 461.3 thousand km 2 . The identified condition is found in several areas, including the mountainous area of Sumatra, northern Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, Timor Island, and northern Papua Island.…”

“…controlling air pollution levels so that the potential locations for observatory activities do not decrease. Most of Java Island, the east coast of Sumatra Island, and the west and south coasts of the island of Kalimantan are included in the "low astronomical suitability-high air pollution risk" class, covering an area of 134.5 thousand km 2 . Java is a densely populated island, thus numerous anthropogenic activities could potentially be emission sources e.g., motor vehicles, industries, and commercial and residential activities.…”

“…Since the development of astronomical observatories in 1560, astronomical observation activities have undergone extensive development worldwide [1]. The modernization and equitable distribution of observatory construction play an important role in developing research, education, and global tourism in astronomy [2][3][4]. One of the important aspects of optimizing astronomical observation activities is planning the best location for constructing the observatory [5].…”

Meteorites as a Scientific Heritage

“…In this context, the term 'heritage' refers not only to buildings and landscapes of historical value (e.g., astronomical observatories and botanical gardens) but also-and among many others-to anatomical preparations, scientific instruments, herbaria, fossils, archives and documents, ethical issues in conducting research and teaching practices, meteorite specimens. This material is often dispersed in scientific museums or institutions and university collections [78][79][80][81][82][83][84].…”