NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF TAJIKISTAN

Modern astronomical science in Tajikistan originates from the Tajik Astronomical Observatory (TAO), established on November 13, 1932 by the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the Tajik SSR. TAO in 1948 was renamed the Stalinabad Astronomical Observatory (SAO). On October 4, 1957, observations of the first artificial satellite of the Earth were successfully carried out in the SAO. From this historical event, active space exploration and the transformation of astronomy into an all-wave science began. There was an urgent need for observatories with good conditions for astronomical observations. The geographical position and astronomical climate of Tajikistan correspond to the best observation conditions. By the Decree of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the Council of Ministers of the Tajik SSR No. 7 dated January 17, 1958, the SAO was transformed into the Institute of Astrophysics of the Academy of Sciences of the Tajik SSR, now the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan. Since full-fledged astronomical research is impossible without observations, two modern astronomical observatories with an excellent astronomical climate were created in Tajikistan in a short historical period. These are the Gissar Astronomical Observatory and the Sanglokh International Astronomical Observatory. Later, in 1995, by Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 723 dated December 6, 1995, the Pamir Observatory received the status of a branch of the Sanglokh International Astronomical Observatory. The Pamir Astronomical Observatory was built on the initiative of the Main Astronomical Observatory of the Pulkovo Academy of Sciences of the USSR and the Space Research Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR in the early 1970s. 20th century and was called "Pamir astronomical expedition of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR." The observatory is located in the Shorbulok tract of the Murgab district of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of the Republic of Tajikistan (Eastern Pamir) at an altitude of 4350 m and is a unique observation base. The main characteristics of the observatories of the IA Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan are given in the Table, where λ is the geographic longitude, φ is the geographic latitude, H is the height above sea level, N is the number of astronomical hours per year, A is the astronomical index (image quality in arc seconds), P is optical transparency of the atmosphere.

Table

Main characteristics of astronomical observatories of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan

In addition to observatories, the structure of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan includes scientific divisions: the Department of Interplanetary Bodies, the Department of Physics of Comets and Asteroids, and the Ionosphere Group. The total number of employees - 64, scientific staff - 35.

The purpose and tasks of the Institute of Astrophysics are the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. The main scientific directions of the Institute: Small bodies of the solar system and the Earth's ionosphere. Three problems are being developed along these lines: 1. Interplanetary bodies of the solar system and meteoric matter. 2. Physics of comets and active processes in comet nuclei. 3. Ionospheric effects of strong earthquakes. Recently, studies have begun on small-sized fragments of space debris, as well as the creation of a new stellar catalog of the northern sky based on scanning photographic plates obtained earlier under the FON project. The tasks of the Institute also include the training of astronomical personnel.

The Institute carried out a wide range of observations of natural and artificial space objects. Deep fundamental studies of meteors and the upper atmosphere of the Earth, comets and asteroids, stars and galaxies, which are of great practical importance, have been carried out. Under the guidance of Academicians P.B. Babadzhanova and O.V. Dobrovolsky, world-recognized scientific schools on meteor matter and comet physics were formed here. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) highly appreciated the contribution of the Institute's scientists to astronomical science, giving the minor planets the names "Tajikistan", "GisAO" and the names of 8 leading scientists of the Institute: 

(3013) Dobrovoleva, (4011) Bakharev, (4206) Kiselev, (4207) Chernova, (3945) Gerasimenko, (7164) Babadzhanov, (3436) Ibadinov, ( 24533) "Kokhirova". 

         For great achievements in scientific research in 1969, the Institute of Astrophysics was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. 

OFFICIAL INFORMATION

Full name: Institute of Astrophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan

Abbreviated name: IA NAST

Director: Kohirova Gulchekhra Isroilovna, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Address: st. Ayni 22, 734042, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Phone: (+992 37) 227-46-14, (+992 37) 227-46-24, (+992 37) 227-53-57