RALPH YIRIKIAN URGES HIS BUSINESS COLLEAGUES TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE IN RA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
08.07.2009 21:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian
participated and spoke at the session "Astronomy and Society" in
the framework of the 8th Annual Meeting of the Armenian Astronomical
Society (ArAS) organized in connection with the International Year
of Astronomy declared by UNESCO and dedicated to the 10th anniversary
of ArAs.

Ralph Yirikian urged his business colleagues to promote development
of science in RA.

Byurakan Observatory is the most important center of Armenian
astrophysics where for decades scholarly research have been conducted
by Armenian astronomers, and among them was also the outstanding
scientist Viktor Hambardzumyan. Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory
(BAO) was founded in 1946 on the initiative of academician Victor
Hambartsumian, who became the first director of the observatory. Since
1998, the Byurakan Observatory bears the name of V.A. Hambartsumian.

In the course 2007, VivaCell-MTS provided 23.3 million drams
contribution for upgrading and renovation of Byurakan Observatory
telescopes’ management system. The 2.6 meters long telescope
of the famous Byurakan Observatory was in a very bad working
condition. Because of the lack of means to cover the maintenance
costs the telescope has become non-operational.

VivaCell-MTS’ contribution also extended to the 1 meter long Schmidt
telescope. Possession of such a telescope in 1961 was considered so
important that the opening of the telescope was also attended by the
leader of the USSR Nikita Khrushchev. Thanks to VivaCell-MTS’ support
the electronic system was also be renovated. In particular, a CCD
matrix was created and the management system was put into operation.

Owing to VivaCell-MTS’ support these two large telescopes again were
made available to the employees of the observatory and our scientists,
VivaCell-MTS website reported.