Zvenigorod Observatory

Zvenigorod Observatory is a division of the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences (INASAN), located near the town of Zvenigorod in Moscow Oblast, Russia, at an elevation of 184 metres.

About Zvenigorod Observatory

Zvenigorod Observatory was created in 1958 by decree of the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. It operates as a division of INASAN and has built up decades of observational work, including a photographic plate archive spanning 1972 to 2005.

History

Since its founding in 1958, Zvenigorod has served both as a research station and as an educational base, running regular programs and research projects for students alongside its scientific work.

Telescopes & research

The observatory's equipment includes the HPAI ZEISS-600 and ASTROGRAPH ZEISS-400 telescopes, a GPS system, a meteor camera, and the Santel-500 telescope. Research at the site focuses on meteor monitoring, comets, observations of the International Space Station, and optical monitoring of space debris in geostationary and highly elliptical orbits.

Location & getting there

The observatory is situated at 184 metres elevation near the historic town of Zvenigorod in Moscow Oblast, west of the Russian capital.

Visiting Zvenigorod Observatory

Zvenigorod Observatory runs educational programs alongside its research work; check the observatory's website for current details on visiting or participating before travelling.

See your named star from here

An observatory equipped to track meteors, comets, and orbiting debris has the instruments and skill to point at fixed coordinates too — exactly what's needed to find a named star. Browse the star catalogue to see examples.