 In the Museum of Astronomy | |
| Alternative names | Kharkiv Astronomical Observatory |
|---|---|
| Organization | Kharkiv National University |
| Observatory code | 101[1] |
| Location | Kharkiv,Ukraine |
| Coordinates | 50°50′09″N36°13′51″E / 50.83583°N 36.23083°E /50.83583; 36.23083 |
| Altitude | 120 m |
| Website | www |
  Location of Kharkiv Astronomical Observatory | |
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 Related media on Commons | |
Institute of Astronomy ofKharkiv National University, orKharkiv Astronomical Observatory — is a scientific institution at Kharkiv University. The institution was founded in 1808 as the astronomy laboratory of the university, and in 1888, mainly due to the efforts ofGregory Levitsky, a fully equipped observatory in a separate house was created.[2]
At the present stage, the main topics of scientific research at the observatory are the laws of light scattering by the surfaces of celestial bodies, small bodies of the Solar System, star catalogs and stellar dynamics, as well as gravitational lenses. The astronomical observatory is subordinate to theobservation station located in Chuguiv and the Museum of Astronomy.[3][4]
In 1808, an astronomy office was established at Kharkiv University. In 1883, an observatory was established in a separate building on the initiative of Grigory Levytsky. In 1962, due to light pollution in Kharov, which did not allow for high-quality astronomical observations, an observation station was founded in theChuguiv district. In 1963, an AZT-8 planetary telescope with a mirror diameter of 70 cm and anAFR-2 solar telescope were installed there.[3][2]
In 2017, a new 2-story observatory building was opened, which contains offices for scientists, an assembly hall, a library, and classrooms for students of the Department of Astronomy and Space Informatics. In 2020, after reconstruction and expansion, the observatory museum of astronomy was opened in the new building.[5] During theRussian invasion of Ukraine from March to September 2022, the Chuguiv Observatory was under Russian occupation. The equipment at the observatory was badly damaged and looted.[6][7]
Famous Ukrainian astronomers have worked and still work at the Kharkiv Observatory:[9][2]
Winners ofState Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology:
Winners of M. P. Barabashov Prize of theNational Academy of Sciences of Ukraine:
Winners of S. Ya. Braude Prize of theNational Academy of Sciences of Ukraine:
Winners of Ye. P. Fedorov Prize of theNational Academy of Sciences of Ukraine:
8 craters on the Moon, Mars and Venus, as well as a number of asteroids, are named in honor of the employees of the Kharkiv Observatory.[10]