Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory

astrophysical facility in Şamaxı, Azerbaijan

Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory (Azerbaijani: Nəsirəddin Tusi adına Şamaxı Astrofizika Rəsədxanası) is an astronomical observatory in the Greater Caucasus Mountains in Shamakhi Rayon in Azerbaijan. The observatory is one of the biggest in the South Caucasus. It is named after the medieval Persian astronomer Nasir al-Din al-Tusi. It is owned and operated by the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory
Panoramic view of the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory
Alternative namesShamakhi Astrophysical Observatory Edit this at Wikidata
Named afterNasir al-Din al-Tusi Edit this on Wikidata
OrganizationAzerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
LocationPirqulu, Azerbaijan Edit this at Wikidata
Coordinates40°46′55″N 48°35′48″E / 40.78194°N 48.59667°E / 40.78194; 48.59667
Altitude1,500, 1,435 m (4,921, 4,708 ft) Edit this at Wikidata
Observing time200 nights per year Edit this on Wikidata
EstablishedJanuary 13, 1960 (1960-01-13)
WebsiteShao.az
Telescopes
2 m Carl Zeiss Jenareflector
70 cm AZT-8 photoelectric telescopeCassegrain reflector
60 cm Zeiss-600 telescopeCassegrain reflector
35 cmCatadioptric
Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory is located in Azerbaijan
Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory
Location of Nasir al-Din al-Tusi Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory
Related media on Wikimedia Commons

It was built between 1958-1960 during the Soviet era as the main observing site for the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences which is located 144 km (89 mi) away in Baku. The observatory is about 22 km (14 mi) northwest of the city of Shamakhi. The observatory is at 1,435 m (4,708 ft) above sea level. It has 150–200 clear, cloudless nights per year, which is the reason why the observatory was built at this location. It has a total of four telescopes. Many comets, asteroids and other astronomical objects were discovered with its telescopes.

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