Observation of the starry sky near the city of Almaty -
Mountain hike to the GAISH observatory -
The Tien Shan Observatory - also known as the Almaty Mountain Space Observatory, is located at an altitude of 2800 meters above sea level, before the collapse of the Soviet Union, the observatory belonged to the Sternberg State Institute of Astronomy (GAISH). The observatory has two Ritchey-Chretien telescopes with a mirror diameter of one meter and several smaller telescopes. However, the largest instrument is the local radio telescope. Today, the observatory consists of two parts: a special solar observatory and an astronomical observatory. Both parts are the center of national space research and technology of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan. Both observatories of the astrophysical institute, together with the space station, are connected into a single network. All photographs taken are automatically transferred to a library that can be accessed online and from the university with which the observatory works on international projects. The object is included in the list of strategic objects of the country, surrounded by barbed wire and a checkpoint has been organized here.
Next to the Tien Shan Observatory is the Big Almaty Lake, up the road on the Zhusaly-Kezen Pass there is a space station for studying cosmic particles. Next to the station is the Big Almaty Peak and Lake Primul, which are places for active recreation. All these attractions are part of the Big Almaty Gorge, through which the Big Almatinka River flows. There are many mountain routes here, the gorge is very popular with lovers of active recreation and cyclists. The Kazakhstan cycling team often trains on the mountain road that runs along the gorge.
How to get there, visit -
The Tien Shan Observatory is located 30 kilometers from Almaty in the Ile-Alatau Park, Almaty Reserve, Almaty Region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°03′27″N 76°58′17″E
Information -
The Tien Shan Observatory was founded in the summer of 1957 by Elena Aleksandrovna Makarova as part of the International Geophysical Year program as an observation base for the Sternberg State Astronomical Institute (one of the departments of Moscow State University) for astronomical expeditions. In 1962, the observatory first became a permanent observation station for the starry sky and later received the status of an observatory. The astronomical observatory also includes an observation station of the Institute of the Ionosphere of Kazakhstan (the Orbita radio testing ground). An automated 50-centimeter telescope is planned for installation in the near future in collaboration with the South Korean Institute of Astronomy and Space Science. The goal is to connect to four similar telescopes in Mongolia, South Africa, Australia and Turkey and become part of a global network of small telescopes. This will allow scientists to cover the entire night sky and continuously observe objects.
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