Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory
Astronomy in Armenia
Astronomy in Georgia
Astronomy in Iran
Astronomy in Kazakhstan
Astronomy in Tajikistan
Astronomy in Türkiye
Andean Region
Arab World and Arabic Language
East Africa
East Asia| Armenia | Georgia | Iran | Kazakhstan | Tajikistan | Turkiye | |
| Is the country IAU National Member? Year, National Committee for Astronomy (NCA), the President | Yes, 1994, 23 IAU members, Armenian NCA, Dr. Areg Mickaelian | Yes, no president | Yes, 1969, Prof. Sadollah Nasiri | Yes, 2012. no NCA | Yes, 1993, Dr. Gulchehra I. Kokhirova | Yes, 1961. NCA Vice-President: Sinan Kaan Yerli, NCA Secretary: Sinan Aliş |
| Membership/affiliation to regional astronomical societies (European or Asian) | EAS, since 2001 | Asian | EAS | |||
| Membership/affiliation to other international organizations | EAAS, SREAC, IVOA, IPDA, WDS | IVOA, IAWN | APSCO, ESFRI | |||
| Number of professional astronomers, male/female, PhD holders / PhD students | 52, male 33 / female 19, PhD holders 30, PhD students 22 |
35, male 19 / female 16, PhD holders 29, PhD students 6 |
522, male 255 / female 267, PhD holders 94, PhD students 70 |
33, male 24 / female 9, PhD holders 32, PhD students 1 |
6, male 5 / female 1, PhD holders 5, PhD Students 1 |
~187, male 96 / female 41, PhD holders 137, PhD students ~50 |
| Names of several famous astronomers (past / present) | Past: Viktor Ambartsumian, Anania Shirakatsi, Beniamin Markarian, Grigor Gurzadyan, Marat Arakelian, Lyudwik Mirzoyan, Edward Khachikian, Romela Shahbazian, Vahe Oskanian, Hrant Tovmassian; Present: Elma Parsamian, Arthur Nikoghossian, Vahagn Gurzadyan, Tigran Magakian, Areg Mickaelian, Ararat Yeghikyan, Tigran Movsessian, Kamo Gigoyan, Ruben Andreasyan |
Evgeni Kharadze, Mikheil Vashskidze, Rolan Kiladze, Madona Dolidze, Luisa Fishkova | Past: Mohammad al-Biruni, Ommar Khayyam, Ibn Sina, Abd al-Rahamn Sufi, Nasir al-Din Tusi, Qutb al-Din Mohammad Shirazi, etc.; Present (In Iran): Prof. Yousef Sobouti, Prof. Reza Mansouri, Prof. Nemat Riazi, Prof. Sadollah Nasiri, Prof. Habib Khosroshahi, Prof. Sohrab Rahvar; Present (Outside Iran): Prof. Bahram Mobasher, Prof. Mohammad Heidari Malayeri |
V.G. Fesenkov, G.A. Tikhov, T.B. Omarov, A.V. Kharitonov, E.Ya. Vilkovisky, L.M. Chechin, V.G. Teifel | Past: Oleg Dobrowolski, Pulat Babadzhanov, Nikolai Kiselev, Galina Chernova; Present: Gulchehra Kokhirova, Firuza Rahmatullaeva |
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| Number of professional astronomical organizations | - Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO); - International Centre for Relativistic Astrophysics Network (ICRANet)-Armenia; - YSU Institute of Physics Chair of General Physics and Astronomy; - Alikhanian National Science Laboratory (ANSL) Cosmology Group; - Institute of Applied Problems of Physics (IAPP) Astrophysics Group |
- E.Kharadze Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory (former Abastumani Astriphysical Observatory); - Space Research Center, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Medicine, Ilia State University |
Institutes: - School of Astronomy (IPM); - Research Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics of Maragheh (RIAAM); - Research Institute for Applied Physics & Astronomy (RIAPA, University of Tabriz); - Research Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Biruni Observatory, Shiraz University); Professional Observatories (or Affiliated to the Universities): - Iranian National Observatory (INO); - Biruni Observatory (Shiraz University); - Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Observatory; - Tusi Observatory (Tabriz University); - University of Zanjan Observatory; - Observatory of the Institute for Advance Studies in Basic Science (IASBS); - Alborz Observatory Array (Sharif University of Technology); - SURA (Semnan, University Radio Array); - University of Kashan Observatory; - Dr. Mojtahedi Observatory (University of Birjand) |
- Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute with three observation bases: Academician Omarov Assy-Turgen Observatory, Tian Shan Astronomical Observatory and Coronal Station, the Kamenskoye Plato Observatory; - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Faculty of Physics and Technology, Department of Solid State Physics and Nonlinear Physics; - Manash Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Physics |
- Hissar astronomical observatory; - International astronomical observatory Sanglokh |
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| Leading astronomical institution/organization: name, year of foundation, number of members, webpage | Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), 1946, 36 | E.Kharadze Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory (former Abastumani Astriphysical Observatory), 1932, 35 | School of Astronomy (IPM), 2007 | Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute, 1950, 111 | Institute of Astrophysics, National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan | Türkiye National Observatories (TUG), 1997, Antalya; Türkiye National Observatories (DAG), 2011, Erzurum; Turkish Astronomical Society (TAD), 1954 |
| National Astronomical Society: name, year of foundation, number of members, webpage | Armenian Astronomical Society (ArAS), 1999, 100 | Georgian Astronomical Society, 1989 | Astronomical Society of Iran (ASI), 1996, 522 | No | No | Turkish Astronomical Society (TAD), 1954, 157 |
| Number of universities having astronomy/astrophysics as a specialty | - Yerevan State University, Faculty of Physics, Department of Astrophysics | - Ilia State University, Tbilisi, bachelor, master and PhD levels; - Samtshe-Javakheti State University, Akhaltsikhe, PhD level |
20 | - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Faculty of Physics and Technology, Department of Solid State Physics and Nonlinear Physics (bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees); - Manash Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Physics (bachelor's and master's degrees) |
No | - Five universities with “Astronomy and Space Sciences” program; - two universities with “Space Sciences and Technologies” program |
| Number of university students (given an estimate) | 20 | 15 | 300 | 162 | No | 1534 |
| Most active astronomical research subjects in the country | Instability phenomena in the Universe, Active Galaxies, Theoretical Astrophysics | Solar physics, near-Earth asteroids, variable stars, galaxies (active galactic nuclei objects), cosmology, theoretical astrophysics, atmosphere–ionosphere-near space | Theoretical Cosmology, Solar Physics, Variable Stars, ISM, Accretion Disks, Star Clusters, Compact Stars, Extragalactic Astronomy | Processes at the Sun and in atmospheres of the Jovian planets, monitoring of artificial Earth satellites, physics of comets, interstellar medium and nebulae, spectrophotometry of active galaxies, stellar dynamics and computational astrophysics, celestial mechanics, investigation of active galactic nuclei based on computer simulations, development of cosmological models of the Universe, research on structure formation and evolution, and on the nature of dark matter and dark energy | Study of small bodies of the Solar system | Stellar astrophysics, galactic astronomy, compact objects |
| International collaborations (list of countries) | FSU: Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan; Europe: France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Netherlands, Greece, Bulgaria; Americas: USA, Mexico, Chile; Asia: Japan, China, India, Iran, Jordan; Oceania: Australia | Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA | Officially SKA, but many professionals have collaborators in different countries, such as Spain, UK, US, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Australia, Japan, South Korea, etc | Germany, Russia, China, Japan, Korea, France, Italy, Armenia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan | Armenia, Slovakia, Ukraine, China, Russia, Japan | USA, France, Italy, Germany, UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, Czechia, Poland |
| Most important astronomical meetings/schools organized in the country | - IAU Symposia 1966, 1986, 1989, 1998, 2013, 2023; - IAU Colloquium 2001; - EAS Annual Meeting 2007; - ISYA 2010; - CETI 1971; - UNESCO Regional Conference 2017 |
- International conference “Our mysterious Sun: magnetic coupling between solar interior and atmosphere”, 2017; - Conference dedicated to Evgeni Kharadze’s 110 year anniversary, 2017 |
- ISYA 2016 and 1997; - IAU/I-How 2023, joint with Turkey |
- International Workshop: 12th Kazakhstan-China-Korea (KCK) workshop, 2024; - 5th Fesenkov Readings, 2017; - "Advances in Space Research and Technologies", 2015; - MODEST-13 (MOdeling DEnse STellar systems), 2013; - 3rd Fesenkov Readings, 2010; - 2nd Fesenkov Readings, 2007; - 1st Fesenkov Readings, 2005. |
No | - IAU-IHOW 2023; - ISYA-2008; - IAU Symposium #177; - NATO-ASI 1993, 1998, 2004 |
| Most important astronomical telescopes | - 2.6m Cassegrain reflector (ZTA-2.6); - 1m Schmidt telescope (AZT-10); - 0.5m Schmidt telescope |
- 70cm Meniscus telescope; - 1.5m Ritchey-Chretien telescope (under construction) |
- 3.4m telescope in commissioning phase; - 0.51m telescope; - many small (<~ 0.6m) telescopes also available in the country |
- 1.5m telescope AZT-20 with a modernized optical design; - 3x1m telescopes from Carl Zeiss, Jena, with a modernized optical design |
- Telescope Zeiss-1000 | - T100 1m; - T122 1.22m; - DAG 4 m |
| Astronomical/Astrophysical journals | - Astrophysics (Ap, Астрофизика – Afz), since 1965; - Communications of BAO (ComBAO), since 1946 |
No | - IJAA (Iranian Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics); - Nojum Magazine (Astronomy Magazine in Persian for public and amateurs) |
No | No | - Turkish Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics; - Physics and Astronomy Reports; - Turkish Journal of Physics |
| National astronomy prizes | - Acad. V. Ambartsumian International Science Prize, since 2010; - Yervant Terzian Prize (ArAS Annual Prize for Young Astronomers), since 2004 |
- Mikheil Vashakidze prize for young scientists | - Sobouti Prize (for professionals); - Emam Prize (Seyed Mostafa Emam prize for amateurs) |
No | No | - National Astronomy Meeting (UAK), Best Poster and Best Oral Contribution for Graduate Students |
| National Virtual Observatory project | Armenian Virtual Observatory (ArVO), since 2005, IVOA member | No | No | Kazakh National Virtual Observatory | No | No |
| Is Astronomy in the school curriculum? | Included in the course of Physics, 9th grade, 1 section | No | 9th and 12th grades | No | 11th grade | Astronomy is an elective course for students with grades between 9-12. |
| Participation in International Olympiads on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) | IAO and IOAA, many gold, silver and bronze medals, one of the most successful teams | IOAA since 2015 | IOAA, Iranian team has been ranked 1st to 3rd in the last ten years | No | No | Turkish Astronomical Society and TUBITAK coordinates the training and selection of students nationwide. TROAA website |
| Number of amateur astronomers (if not definite, given an estimate) | ~20 | ~100 | Registered ~ 1000, Unregistered or affiliated to many local astronomic societies ~ 20000 | More than 300 people | 1 | 50 very active with substantial equipments for astrophotography |
| Number of amateur astronomical organizations/societies | - Goodricke John, - Space Shop |
- Astronomy Club, - Astrophotography Club |
90 | - Kazakhstan Club of Astronomy Lovers, - Almaty club of astronomy lovers (Astrotus) |
No | - İstanbul University, Amateur Astronomers Club (AAK); - ODTÜ, Amateur Astronomy Society (AAT); - Ankara University, Astronomy Research Group (ASART); - Erciyes University, Astronomy Club (ASTER); - Atatürk University, Astrophysics Club (ATAK); - İstanbul Technical University, Astronomy Club; - Yıldız Technical University, Astronomy Club; - Başkent University, Astronomy Group; - Çukurova University, Space Sciences and Research Club (UZAK); - Sabancı University, Astronomy Club (AstroSU) |
| Number of planetariums | Planetarium 1 Yerevan, several portable planetariums | Portable planetarium | 10 Buildings, The largest one is the Gonbad Mina Planetarium (Tehran) (+ 100 portable planetarium for schools) | Aktobe Regional Planetarium; Planetarium «Bobek» | No | 32 (see here) |
| Outreach activities; astronomy/science festivals, large public events, etc. | - Starmus Festival VI 2022, - KasperSKY Fest 2023, - Astro Tourism, etc. |
- Excursions at Abastumani Observatory; - Science picnics and exhibitions; - Public lectures at universities, schools and public locations; - Participation on TV news and shows; - Astronomy popularization events |
- Astronomy Week every Year; - Monthly Astronomy Club in a few Cities (Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad) |
- Asteroid Day (Almaty, June 15, 2021) | - Employees of the Institute of Astrophysics of NAST conduct weekly excursions to the Hissar Astronomical Observatory depending on weather conditions | - Star Parties and Astro-Festivals; - Public Nights; - Teacher Training Programs |
| Astronomy/Space museums | - Space Museum (in Yerevan), - Viktor Ambartsumian house-museum (in Byurakan) |
- Abastumani Observatory Museum; - Astronomy exhibition in Tbilisi Holoseum |
- Astan Ghods Razavi Museum has a section for Atsronomy | - Museum of the History of the Baikonur Cosmodrome | No | - There is no astronomy/space specific museum but there are dozens of science museums where most of the activities are astronomy/space related |
| Ancient/historical astronomy-related sites | - Karahunge (Zorats Karer), - Metzamor |
- Megalithic Monument of Abuli | - Maragheh Observatory; - Radkan Tower |
No | No | - Mount Nemrut in Adıyaman; - Apollon Temple in Didim/Aydın; - Apollon Lairbenos Temple, Denizli; - Zeus Olbia in Mersin; - Hattusa (Hittite) Settlement in Çorum |
| Additional useful links | https://ssa.fai.kz/ | astronomi.org.tr (under construction) |
© South West and Central Asia Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (SWCA ROAD) 2015