Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory

Coordinates: 40°46′20″N 48°35′04″E / 40.77222°N 48.58444°E / 40.77222; 48.58444

The Nasīr al-Dīn al-Tūsī Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory (Azerbaijani: Nəsirəddin Tusi adına Şamaxı Astrofizika Rəsədxanası) - is an observatory located in Shamakhi, Azerbaijan, on the south-eastern foothills of the Great Caucasus Mountain ridge, on the basis of “Astrophysics” sector of Physics Institution of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, about 22 km far from the centre of Shamakhi and 144 km far from Baku, at an altitude of 1,435 m.

History

Construction of the observatory began in 1958 in then Azerbaijan SSR and officially opened on January 13, 1960.^[1] Yusif Mammadaliyev – eminent Azerbaijani scientist – played a great role in foundation of the observatory.

During the Soviet period, the observatory measured the light polarization of Comet d'Arrest.^[2]

In 1991, the observatory was given a name of Nasiraddin Tusi – mathematician, physicist and astronomer of medieval ages. A township for habitation of workers was established under the observatory and it was named after Yusif Mammadaliyev (Pirgulu).

In September 2008, the observatory went through capital repair, as a result, the exhibition hall, museum, conference and lecture halls, six buildings for telescopes, including the building housing the main two-metre telescope, and main administrative building have been overhauled and a canteen and cottages built.^[3][4][5]

Telescopes

Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory on the Azerbaijan stamp

The main instrument – reflecting telescope produced in Germany, with diameter of mirror of 2 meters and which was turned over for operation in 1966 and which is the first big telescope of the South Caucasus. Besides that, the following instruments are also used in the observatory:

• Horizontal solar horoscope with a diameter of the main mirror of 50 cm, for spectral investigations of solar atmosphere;
• A chromospheric and photospheric AFR-2 telescope with dimensions of 20/13 cm, used for needs in solar service;
• AZT-8 reflector with diameter of a mirror of 70 cm;
• Reflector by Carl Zeiss company, with diameter of a mirror of 60 cm;
• Meniscus telescope of Maksutov’s system, equipped with a lens prism, with the diameter of inlet port of 35 cm.

In 2013, a 90-cm AZT-15 Schmidt Telescope is installed to the observatory.^[3]

International collaboration and achievements

The Shamakhi observatory has made a significant contribution to extensive Soviet and post-Soviet scientific programmes in astrophysics and fundamental astronomy.^[3] The observatory works on three main scientific trends: the physics of stars, investigation of solar system bodies and solar physics and solar-terrestrial relations.^[3] Current investigations also include the effects of space weather, the history of astronomy, theoretical astrophysics, cosmology, helioseismology, radio-astronomy, practical astronomy, celestial mechanics, galaxies and the dynamics of artificial satellites.^[3] In recent years, a new area of work has been the development and construction of astronomical devices such as Echelle spectrographs, used for investigations of celestial bodies.^[3]

Holidays

The observatory is best known to the Azerbaijani public for its specifications of the exact time of holidays, such as the traditional new year, Novruz.^[3] The observatory tells the media the moment of the vernal equinox, the time when the Sun will cross the equator, which marks the start of the new year.^[3]

Directors of the observatory

Name	Nationality	Period	Notes
Hajibey Sultanov	Soviet Union	1951-1980	[6]
Ogtay Huseynov	Soviet Union	1980-19??	[7]
Alik Abbasov	Soviet Union	19??-????	[7]
Zohrab Ismayilov	Soviet Union	19??-????	[7]
Kamran Huseynov	Soviet Union	19??-????	[7]
Schmidt Ahmadov	Azerbaijan	????-1997	[7]
Eyyub Guliyev	Azerbaijan	1997–present	[8]

Famous workers of the observatory

• Nadir Ibrahimov

References

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