Dushanbe, 08.06.2016 /NIAT “Khovar”/.Today, the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon attended and opened an international astronomical observatory «Sanglokh» of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, which is located at the Sanglokh place of Dangara district of Khatlon region.

It should be noted that the International Astronomical Observatory «Sanglokh» from the point of optical view and astronomical climate is the best in the world. It has been restored by the support of the Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon in the period of independence after 20 years of interruption, given the large scientific and international significance of Observatory for astronomical observation, study and research of small bodies of the solar system and comets.

The observatory is located at an altitude of 2300 m above the sea level and was built in 1977. Since 1995, the “Sanglokh” observatory was granted the status of international observatory, because its and scientists’ contribution is significant to the world of astronomy.

Observatory Sanglokh has a reflecting telescope with a diameter of 1 meter. Telescope was obtained in 1980 from the German company Carl Tsseyss. It is able to detect objects, the size of which is 10 cm at a distance of 40 thousand km from the Earth. The quality of images of the telescope is close to telescopes with a diameter of 2 m. So, in 1985, when the next comet Halley was approaching the Sun, the first images of the comet were received because of this observatory at the time, as these pictures could not be even detected by a telescope with a diameter of 6 meters. At that time, the brightness of the comet was 22 magnitudes.

One million somoni have been spent for rehabilitation of the observatory. Now, 30 scientists are involved in its ongoing research activities.

The observatory consists of 6 floors and in the offices scientists are engaged in the study of celestial bodies. After recovery and delivery of digital equipment the quality of work of the observatory has been significantly improved and its capabilities expanded.

President Emomali Rahmon in the course of familiarization with the conditions of operation of the observatory said that the center is an excellent base for the education of young scientists.

Employees of the Institute of Astrophysics were requested to collaborate with scientists from developed countries in order to strengthen the astronomical school of Tajikistan.

Now the Institute of Astrophysics has three scientific observatories — «Hissor» at an altitude of 730 meters, observatory «Sanglokh» at an altitude of 2300 m and observatory «Pamir» at an altitude of 4350 meters in Murghab district of Badakhshan Region.

The International Astronomical Union highly appreciated the contribution of the Institute in the development of astronomy, and named 7 small stars after Tajik scientists and two other planets — «Tajikistan» and «Hissor observatory».

On November 14, 2014, there occurred a significant event at the European Space Agency in Germany, which drew the attention of scientists in the world: the spacecraft «Rosetta», located at the level of comet Churumov-Gerasimenko, proceeded to a deep study of the comet. The pride of Tajik scientists is the fact that this comet for the first time on September 29, 1969 was discovered by a researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan Svetlana Gerasimenko. Gerasimenko was invited to Germany, where she observed the research of the level of comet that she had discovered. After studying the comet, scientists will find answers to many questions related to the appearance of bodies in the solar system, including the emergence of life on Earth.

Once fully familiar with the Observatory, President Emomali Rahmon met with the scientists of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Institute of Astrophysics and shared his thoughts on the achievements of Tajik scholars.

President Emomali Rahmon congratulated the audience with the rehabilitation of an important facility, which makes an important contribution to the development of astronomy and Tajikistan’s representation on the world stage.

A number of the field workers and young scientists in their speeches expressed their gratitude to President Emomali Rahmon for this valuable gift.