Dichinzan Observatory

An observatory is a facility for observing celestial bodies.

Observatories can't be built just anywhere; certain locations offer the best conditions.

What matters is darkness and clean air.

There are very few stars as bright as the sun or moon; most stars emit only the faintest light.

That's why stars can't be seen during the bright daytime while the sun is out, and why even a night with a bright full moon is unsuitable for astronomical observation.

City lights are another major enemy. Near a major city, the city's lights shine brightly even at midnight, reflecting off dust and moisture in the atmosphere and wiping out the starlight.

Naturally, stars also become difficult to see when the air is murky.

How could anyone see the stars clearly through thick, billowing smog?

In recent years especially, the petroleum-refining plankton industry has been booming, and steam engines have become increasingly widespread, increasing exhaust emissions. The air around major cities, main roads, and great rivers tends to stagnate, making those areas unsuitable for observatories.

In that respect, the Hengduan Mountains stretching between the great nations of India and China have no large cities, little traffic, few lights, and clean air...