KGO Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
KGO Observatory, known as the Caucasian Mountain Observatory (CMO), sits high on the Shadjatmaz plateau in the Kislovodsk region of Russia's North Caucasus, one of the country's newer major research sites.
About KGO Observatory
The observatory is operated by the Sternberg Astronomical Institute (SAI) at Moscow State University (MSU). Its main instrument is a 2.5-metre Ritchey-Chretien telescope, supported by an ASTRONIRCAM infrared spectrograph camera built around a Hawaii-2RG detector.
History
The observatory was constructed between 2011 and 2013 and has been operating since 2014.
Telescopes & research
KGO specialises in optical and near-infrared photometry, spectroscopy, and differential speckle polarimetry, work that benefits from the plateau's high altitude and low atmospheric water vapour.
Location & getting there
The observatory stands at an elevation of 2,112 metres on the Shadjatmaz plateau in the North Caucasus, Russia, a remote high-altitude site chosen for its clear, dry air.
See your named star from here
A 2.5-metre research telescope at this altitude can resolve far more of the sky than most instruments. If you've named a star with Star Register, its coordinates are in our catalogue, a starting point for anyone hoping to see it from a serious observing site.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
