Eden Astronomical Observatory, a privately-owned observatory in Lahore, is now recognized by MPC (Minor Planet Center) as the 2nd research grade observatory in Pakistan, only after Zeds Astronomical Observatory.
A view from inside Eden Astronomical Observatory, showing Celestron C14 with Losmandy Titan mount.
Minor Planet Center of International Astronomical Union is responsible for the identification, designation and orbit computation of asteroids and comets (and more) of our solar system.
Sending good astrometric data gives you the opportunity to be granted an ‘Observatory Code’ for your permanent observatory which is working in the field of Asteroids’ detection and identification. Zeds Astronomical Observatory was Pakistan’s first to recieve the Observatory Code from MPC which is N30 and is listed at MPC and JPL website.
Search for N30 (Zeds Astronomical Observatory) and N31 (Eden Astronomical Observatory) here at this link.
The owner of both observatories, and president of LAST, Mr. Umair Asim says:
”Due to heavy light pollution at the location of Zeds Astronomical Observatory, I moved the main telescope to a bit darker location in Lahore. For a few months, took some astrometric data of some asteroids and then sent this to MPC. They checked the quality and accuracy and granted me Pakistan’s second MPC observatory code which is N31. I believe there are only two MPC recognized observatories and both are in Lahore.”
This is great news for the amateur Astronomy community of Pakistan and we wish well to all future endeavors!