Mobil Astronomical Robotics Genon Observatory

Mobil Astronomical Robotics Genon Observatory — known as MARGO Observatory — is a private facility in Nauchnyi, Crimea, built by amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov, who used it to discover the first confirmed interstellar comet.

About MARGO Observatory

MARGO Observatory is owned and operated by Gennadiy Borisov, a telescope maker who designed and built the facility's instruments himself. It sits at an elevation of around 610 metres in Nauchnyi, Crimea.

History

The observatory was founded in 2014. Between then and 2019, Borisov used it to discover nine comets and several near-Earth objects, working from telescopes he built by hand.

Telescopes & research

Borisov's home-built telescopes include GENON, credited with two comet discoveries; GENON Max, with five; and the HGB-650, a 0.65-metre instrument that found two comets, including 2I/Borisov. On 30 August 2019, Borisov used the observatory to discover 2I/Borisov, the first interstellar comet ever confirmed to pass through the Solar System. The observatory carries the IAU observatory code L51.

Location & getting there

MARGO Observatory sits at roughly 610 metres elevation near Nauchnyi, Crimea. Use the map and directions on this page to plan your route.

Visiting MARGO Observatory

As a privately owned research telescope, MARGO Observatory doesn't publish standard public visiting hours; check locally before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

An observatory built by hand to hunt down faint, fast-moving objects across the solar system is proof of what a well-aimed telescope can find at precise coordinates. Name a star with Star Register, or check its position in the catalogue.