Bulgaria's Rozhen observatory will have the largest telescope in the Balkans

published on 7/1/23 1:36 PM | updated on 7/1/23 4:45 PM

The first robotized telescope in Southeast Europe at Rozhen Astronomical Observatory

Photo: BTA

A new robotic telescope of the Institute of Astronomy at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) has been officially unveiled today at the Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory located in the western section of Bulgaria's Rhodope Mountains near the town of Smolyan.

The telescope has a mirror diameter of one and a half metres, making it the largest of its type in the Balkans. Observations with it will be carried out in a fully automated mode, without requiring the presence of an operator.

The ribbon was cut by Prime Minister Academician Nikolay Denkov, Academician Julian Revalski, President of the BAS, Prof. Evgeni Semkov, Director of the Institute of Astronomy and the Minister of Education Prof. Galin Tsokov.

PM Academician Nikolay Denkov, Academician Julian Revalski, President of the BAS, Prof. Evgeni Semkov, Director of the Institute of Astronomy and the Minister of Education Prof. Galin Tsokov

We are proud to have the most complex and richest observatory in terms of scientific equipment in Southeast Europe, said Academician Nikolay Denkov adding: "I am proud that Bulgarian astronomy and astrophysics is not only at the world level, but it has its world-class scientists who work in the best universities in the world".

The modern facility enters operation 42 years after the opening of the astronomical observatory.

"So many years after the observatory was opened, our generation of astronomers will remain in the history of science in Bulgaria with this new telescope", said Professor Evgeni Semkov, director of the Institute of Astronomy.

"The robotic telescope presented today is a magnificent acquisition for the entire astronomical community", said academician Julian Revalski, president of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

BGN 3,500,000 /1,789,522 euros/ have been allocated by the state through the Ministry of Education and Science for the construction of the tower and the telescope itself, which was purchased from Austria.