Byurakan Observatory

Location :

• Emil Attlid

  28 April 2018

  Interesting place to learn about Armenian contribution to astronomy. We had a quick tour offered by a very enthusiastic scientist.

  response / report this review
• Zohrab Bauer

  16 January 2018

  Very interesting and inspiring scientific institute to visit and learn about space.

  response / report this review
• A Anim

  10 October 2017

  This is the place where earth and heaven meet together. Every time I visit here I think how the nature can be magnificent.

  response / report this review
• Miganoush Mardirossian

  24 August 2017

  My 8 year old daughter and I took an evening tour from Yerevan to view the night sky from the observatory. It was fun tour. We observed Saturn and group of start more than 1000 light year away. My daughter's excitement means a world to me

  response / report this review
• Dilek I

  23 August 2017

  In the small Armenian village of Byurakan, against the backdrop of Mount Aragats, one of the country’s highest spots, several silver domes can be seen shining in the sun. These domes cover the Byurakan Observatory, a premier astronomical center which was established during the Soviet era.
  
  The man behind the observatory’s establishment is an Armenian hero, who led many advancements in astrophysics, both in the country and globally: Victor Ambartsumian (also styled Viktor Hambardzumyan). He was one of the earliest to work in the field of theoretical astrophysics and one of its pioneers.
  
  The observatory was founded in 1946 and is home to what was for several years the largest telescope in the USSR, a 2.6m Cassegrain reflector. Under Ambartsumian’s leadership, studies at the observatory related to instability phenomena around the universe, which remains the cornerstone of their research program today. Ambartsumian himself lived near the facility and conducted experiments till he passed away in 1996.
  
  Armenia has a long history of astronomical study dating back several thousand years and the observatory played a crucial part bringing it into the realm of modern science and study. The campus, owned by the Armenian National Academy of Sciences, was designed by the famous Soviet architect Samvel Safaryan and now houses five large observational instruments.
  
  The grounds are beautifully landscaped and maintained, and the observatory hosts guided tours in several languages for a few dollars and also accepts proposals to use its powerful telescopes.
  
  

  response / report this review
• Mirko Spino

  11 August 2017

  So lucky. I've been hosted a couple of days in an astronomic space observatory from the soviet era, on the slope of Mt Aragats. Still working but half abandoned, it's a gorgeous mix of Kubrick's Shining views, Sci Fi suggestions, and ostalgic XFiles. In 1971 it hosted the 1st congress devoted to problem of extraterrestrial civilization and communication with them. It was all great, except the behavior of the astronomist, prig and unpleasant

  response / report this review
• Starttel

  24 May 2017

  Many, many, many starts

  response / report this review
• Arman Agh

  08 April 2017

  The first in Armenia observatory

  response / report this review
• Denis Ion

  24 December 2016

  Потрясающее место! Случайно заехали, когда сотрудник проводил лекцию для школьников и нам заодно рассказал много интересного об этом телескопе! Спасибо! Всем рекомендуем посетить!

  response / report this review
• Hayk Ghazarian

  01 August 2016

  A very nice place!

  response / report this review
• Roland Yeghiazaryan

  24 November 2015

  Աստղադիտակներից բացի կա հիասքանչ բնություն։

  response / report this review
• Lazar Minasian

  24 July 2015

  Tremendous place.

  response / report this review