The Multi Application Solar Telescope (MAST) of India has been operationalised at which Solar Observatory?

Introduction / Context:
India has developed advanced instruments to study the Sun because solar observations are crucial for understanding space weather, solar activity, and their effects on Earth. The Multi Application Solar Telescope (MAST) is a modern solar telescope designed to obtain high resolution observations of the solar atmosphere. This question checks whether you know at which observatory in India this important telescope was made operational, linking geography with science and technology awareness.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• MAST stands for Multi Application Solar Telescope.
• It is an Indian solar telescope used for detailed solar observations.
• The options are Ahmedabad Solar Observatory, Jaipur Solar Observatory, Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, and Udaipur Solar Observatory.
• Only one of these observatories is actually associated with the operationalisation of MAST.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is based on recognising important astronomy centres in India and linking them with their key instruments. Udaipur Solar Observatory is globally known for its favourable location on an island in Fateh Sagar Lake, which helps reduce atmospheric turbulence. This site has been developed for high quality solar observations, making it a natural home for an instrument like MAST. By recalling this association, we can select the correct observatory from the list.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that MAST is an advanced solar telescope intended for multi wavelength observations of the Sun. Step 2: Remember that Udaipur Solar Observatory in Rajasthan is one of the prime solar observatories in India, operated by the Physical Research Laboratory. Step 3: Note that Kodaikanal Observatory in Tamil Nadu is also famous, but it is more associated with earlier historical solar observations rather than the installation of MAST. Step 4: Recognise that Ahmedabad and Jaipur options are distractors, as they do not host this particular multi application solar telescope. Step 5: Conclude that MAST was operationalised at the Udaipur Solar Observatory.

Verification / Alternative Check:
An alternative check is to recall news items or articles related to the commissioning of MAST. Many reports mention Udaipur Solar Observatory located on an island in Fateh Sagar Lake as the site chosen because water around the observatory reduces the effects of ground heating and enhances image quality. The combination of Udaipur and solar telescope appears frequently in space science news, reinforcing this pairing. None of the other given observatories are similarly linked with MAST in official reports.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ahmedabad Solar Observatory is wrong because, although Ahmedabad is an important centre for space research, including the Physical Research Laboratory, the multi application solar telescope itself is not installed there. Jaipur Solar Observatory is not the famous location connected with MAST and is included only as a plausible sounding distractor. Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, while historic and important for earlier solar studies, was not chosen as the site for the MAST instrument, which was specifically placed in Udaipur to utilise better atmospheric conditions.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often confuse various observatories because they remember names but not specific functions or instruments. Kodaikanal, being famous in textbooks, may attract guesses even when the instrument in question is actually at Udaipur. Another common mistake is to associate a telescope with the city where the research institute head office is located, such as Ahmedabad, rather than the actual field observatory site, which in this case is in Udaipur. Paying close attention to which facility physically hosts an instrument is important.

Final Answer:
The Multi Application Solar Telescope (MAST) of India has been operationalised at the Udaipur Solar Observatory.