President visited the V. Hambardzumian Observatory of the RA National Academy of Sciences in Byurakan

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan visited the V. Hambardzumian Observatory of the RA National Academy of Sciences in Byurakan. The President of Armenia familiarized with the reconstruction and modernization works conducted recently in the Observatory and observed the working conditions at the administrative building. Serzh Sargsyan visited the vacuum station and the V. Hambardzumian Observatory. In the course of the tour, the President was informed that taking into consideration a significant role of the astrophysics in the fundamental research and importance of having the largest telescope for the development of this discipline, the Presidium of the RA NAS in July 2012 adopted a decision on the modernization of the mentioned telescope. It includes renovation of the aluminum covered surface of the mirror, conversion to the analogous digital system, and works aimed at the acquisition of new light absorbers.

According to those responsible, at the beginning of this year by the suggestion of the RA NAS and decision of the Government of Armenia, the Byurakan Observatory was included in the list of national treasures. As a result, the allocated means allowed to carry out throughout this year considerable works aimed at the maintenance of the infrastructure and its modernization, as well as to update the administrative structure. It was noted that the main portion of the works has already been concluded.