The Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory

Region

Aragatsotn

Distance from Yerevan

33.5 km

Type

Museum

The Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory is one of the 33 research institutes of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, founded in 1946 through the initiative of Academician Viktor Ambartsumian. The main direction of the observatory’s scientific activity is the study of unstable phenomena in the Universe. Byurakan Observatory is located on the southern slope of Mount Aragats. It is equipped with 12 observational instruments, the largest of which is a 2.6-meter Cassegrain telescope. Another major instrument is the 1-meter Schmidt telescope. The observatory’s architectural complex includes the administrative building and telescope towers, constructed in different phases. The buildings from the 1940s–1950s were designed by Samvel Safaryan, and those from the 1960s–1980s were designed by Sarkis Gurzadyan. In addition to scientific research, the observatory also fulfills an educational and public outreach mission, organizing visits and lectures for amateur astronomers and the interested public.