Astronomical Observatory of Kyiv University
Image: Wikimedia Commons
A separate facility from Kyiv's better-known Shevchenko University observatory, the Astronomical Observatory of Kyiv University traces its own history back to 1845 and today combines active solar research with a museum of historic instruments.
About the observatory
Founded in 1845, the observatory ranks among Ukraine's oldest, and its original 1845 building has since been preserved as a museum housing a rich collection of scientific instruments, including a meridian circle, an astrograph, and meteor cameras.
History
Over its history the observatory has been associated with a line of notable astronomers, among them Vasilii Fedorov, Robert Fogel, Andrii Shydlovsky, Mytrofan Khandrykov, Sergei Vsekhsviatsky, and Oleksander Bohorodsky.
Telescopes & research
The observatory's equipment includes a horizontal solar telescope and a photospheric-chromospheric telescope, reflecting its long-standing focus on solar activity and solar forecasting, alongside work tracking artificial satellites.
Location & getting there
The observatory is located in Kyiv, Ukraine, as part of the university's astronomical facilities distinct from its Shevchenko-campus counterpart.
Visiting
Its historic building operates as a museum of astronomical instruments; check with the university's observatory service for current visiting hours before travelling.
See your named star from here
Alongside its museum of historic instruments, staff here work with modern telescopes that can be pointed at the coordinates of a named star. Look up your star's position in the star catalogue before you visit.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check the official website and Google Maps for current times before you travel.
