The Byurak Astrophysical Observatory or Byurakan Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the Armenian Academy of Sciences. It is located on the slope of Mount Aragats in Byurakan village. Founded in 1946 by Viktor Hambardzumyan, it was one of the main astronomy centers of the USSR. The buildings were designed by architect Samvel Safarian. The observatory has discovered special star clusters – stellar associations (1947), more than 1,000 flare stars, dozens of Supernovae, hundreds of Herbig-Haro objects and cometary nebulae, hundreds of galaxies.
The well-established transport infrastructure of Armenia allows to get to Byurakan Observatory by a private car or with the help of various travel companies which offer regular excursions and tours to different sights of the country. Due to the geographical location of Byurakan Observatory the trip will not seem long.
The high season in Armenia lasts for a long time due to the pleasant climate conditions. Warm days in Armenia start in March and last until late autumn; winter is usually snowless and not long. The high precipitation season is variable. The tourist season for Byurakan Observatory depends on the weather conditions.
“Stellar associations” - groups of young stars, where stars are formed, were discovered in Byurakan Observatory in 1947, and it was proved for the first time that the phenomenon of emergence of stars continues even nowadays.
One of the largest in Europe classic telescope, one of the largest in the world Schmidt telescope with wide fields of view, radio optical telescope and many other modern devices are preserved in the Observatory.
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