Samtskhe - Javakheti

Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory

Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory was founded by the Academician Eugene Kharadze in 1932 on Mount Kanobili, near resort Abastumani (in Samtskhe-Javakheti), southeastern Georgia, as the first mountaineous observatory in Soviet Union. Mount Kanobili has unique atmospheric conditions for astronomical observations. The altitude of Mt. Kanobili is 1650 to 1770m. above sea level. It is one of the best observatories among the same altitude with its observational conditions. At present in the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory observational and theoretical research is carried out in many areas of astronomy and aeronomy: the Sun and solar system, binary and variable stars, star clusters, extragalactic objects, the Earth's atmosphere, solar terrestrial relationships. The observatory is 210 km to the west from Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Visitors can observe the night sky through a unique telescope, converse with astronomers, and familiarize themselves with the unique collection in the museum.