60-YEAR-OLD OBSERVATORY “BYURAKAN” REGAINS ONCE LOST GLORY

Yerevan, April 13. ArmInfo. “Byurakan” astrophysical observatory of
the RA National Academy of Science will celebrate its 60th jubilee by
organizing an International Conference with participation of scientists
from 7 countries. Observatory Director Hayk Haroutunyan told ArmInfo.

He said that on August 25 the International School of Astrophysics
in Byurakan will start operating. Scientists from the USA, France,
Italy, Greece, Germany and Russia will deliver lectures on the modern
achievements of world astrophysics for young specialists from abroad.

A solemn sitting is fixed for September 1. The International Scientific
Conference on Astrophysics will take place on September 2-3.

Besides, in the summer of 2007, a Congress of European Astrophysics
will convene in Armenia. Scientists from Europe, USA and a number of
Asian states will participate in it. Hayk Haroutunyan said Congress
might be held in the Ukraine, but the International Astronomic Union
(IAU) preferred Armenia. Under the Congress, 6 scientific symposiums
will be held.

“Byurakan” Astrophysical Observatory was founded in 1946 on the
highest peak of today’s Armenia, Aragats. The Armenian astrophysics
reached its fullest flower due to the leading scientist Victor
Hambartsoumyan. The results of the scientific research at “Byurakan”
Observatory got world acknowledgement and became a basis for new
directions in astrophysics, H. Haroutunyan said. However, during the
last 15 years the number of the employees at the observatory was cut 4
times. At present negotiations are underway with France for restoration
of the agreement on joint scientific research broken for some reasons
3 years ago. Similar talks are in process with Italy and Germany. An
agreement with Italy has already been signed, and implementation
of joint projects to start in 2007. The ties with Russian have been
activated as well. Thus, the famous Schmidt Telescope is currently
restored in cooperation with Russian specialists. Other telescopes
of the observatory are also being restored, H. Haroutunyan said.