Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO)

The modern astronomy in Armenia begins with the foundation of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) in 1946 by the outstanding scientist of the XX century Viktor Ambartsumian. BAO is at present the main centre for astrophysical research in Armenia. The modern astronomy in Armenia begins with the foundation of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO). It is one of the most important astronomical centres in Eastern Europe and Middle East region, both by its scientific instruments and achievements.
The Observatory was founded in 1946 on the initiative of Viktor Ambartsumian (1908-1996), the famous Armenian scientist of the 20th century. BAO is situated on the southern slope of Mt. Aragatz (with highest peak at 4090 m altitude), near village Byurakan, some 30 km Northwest to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. The geographic coordinates are 2h57m10s E, 40°20ґ07˝ N, and the altitude is 1405m. BAO is affiliated to the Armenian National Academy of Sciences (NAS RA) and is one of its most important institutions.
V.A. Ambartsumian became the first director of the observatory, and main directions of astrophysical investigations were determined by him. First studies at the Byurakan Observatory related to the instability phenomena taking place in the Universe, and this trend became the main characteristic of the science activity in Byurakan.

The building works began in the spring of 1946 under the supervision of famous architect Samvel Safarian. The first structures were the central building, hotel and the towers of the first astronomical instruments: 5² double astrograph, 8²/12² Schmidt telescope, 10² telescope-spectrograph, nebular spectrograph, 16² Cassegrain telescope and 21²/21² (53 cm) Schmidt telescope. They were built up in 1951-55. The 21²/21² telescope was the main instrument for those years, being used for the investigation of structure and radiation properties of galaxies.
Since 1950 works on construction of radiotelescopes began. Two synphased antennas for observations in 4.2 m wavelength and two synphased antennas for 1.5 m wavelength were constructed. In 1950-1951 the laboratories of instrument-making, radioastrophysics, stellar astronomy and spectroscopy, as well as observatory’s library were organized.

In 1960, a new Schmidt telescope with 40² (102 cm) correcting plate and 52² (132 cm) mirror was installed in Byurakan. Soon, in 1965, B.E. Markarian started a survey with a goal of revealing UV-excess galaxies (First Byurakan Survey – FBS, co-authors V.A. Lipovetski and J.A. Stepanian). It was continued for 15 years and became one of the most famous surveys in modern astronomy. As a result, 1500 galaxies with UV-excess, named now Markarian galaxies, were discovered. Up to now, Byurakan Schmidt is one of the largest and one of the most efficient Schmidt telescopes in the world. The Markarian survey was the first systematic survey for AGN, and until now is the largest spectroscopic survey in the world.

Observations of Markarian galaxies in Byurakan and other observatories revealed a lot of new interesting objects. E.Ye. Khachikian, together with D. Weedman (USA), discovered many new Seyfert-type galaxies and for the first time made a classification of these AGN. H.M. Tovmassian and colleagues discovered and studied the radio emission of many Markarian galaxies. More active galaxies were discovered from the lists compiled by M.A. Arakelian, who selected and published galaxies with high surface brightness. Later on Markarian galaxies have been studied by K.A. Sahakian, A.R. Petrosian, et al.
 In 1964 and 1971 conferences on extraterrestrial civilizations were held. The meeting of 1971 was the first international symposium on the problem of Extraterrestrial Civilizations and Communication with Them. Many prominent scientists, including astronomers, physicists, chemists, biologists, philosophers, and specialists of other related fields participated in the symposium.

In 1965 an all-Union astrophysical journal, Astrofizika (English translation: Astrophysics) was founded, and Byurakan astronomers began to publish their papers mainly in it. The Astrofizika became the main astrophysical journal of the Soviet Union as well.
  

The installation of the 2.6 m telescope (one of the largest telescopes in the world at that time) was rather important event in the observatory’s life. The opening of the telescope in October 1976 was accompanied by a symposium on Flare Stars. Scientific meetings on these and related objects were held in 1979 and 1984, too. At present ZTA-2.6 telescope is the largest observational instrument of BAO operating since 1976. It was constructed at the LOMO (Leningrad Optical-Mechanical Association, Sent-Petersburg, Russia) and actually represents the twin of the G.A.Shain reflector mounted at the CrAO in 1960. Both these reflectors, as well as the 6m telescope of the Russian Special Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) have been designed by Bagrat Ioanissian – the LOMO General constructor.The new main parabolic mirror of diameter 264cm made of sitall has been installed in 1984. Its relative focus distances are the followings: 3.85; 16 and 40. The three-store building (tower) of the telescope has been designed by Sargis Gurzadyan the Observatory principal architect. The 60 ton dome is designed by Gurgen Minassian and built of duraluminum at the BOML (Byuarakan Optical Mechanical Laboratory).