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The astronomical observatory
The unique climatic conditions of Simeiz - small nebulosity, dry and clean air promoted the establishing on the territory of the village the astronomical observatory. In the very beginning of XXth century it was founded on the top of the Cat mountain by then owners of Simeiz - brothers Maltsovs, who passed it as a gift to Pulkov astronomical observatory. Later this department of observatory grew into independent Simeiz astrophysical observatory.
In 1925-26 the biggest in the USSR reflecting telescope with the mirror diameter of 1 meter was built up here. With its assistance a number of fundamental scientific researches have been carried out, big astronomical discoveries were made. Especially should be noted the discovery of rotation of stars, made by academician G.A.Shain, which brought the public recognition to scientists of Simeiz. It should be also mentioned the successful researches of determining of radial velocity of stars, performed in the observatory. Simeiz astronomers achieved many results during monitoring of small planets. They have discovered more than 130 of heavenly bodies. One of the discovered small planets was called Simeiz.
For 65 years the astronomers were carrying on their researches. In 1974 the center of astrophysical researches was transferred into village Nauchniy near Bakhchisaray, and the place of Simeiz observatory was occupied by station of observation of space satellites of Academy of Sciences, which is one of the parts of international program ТInterkosmos.
The direct attitude towards the space-studies also has the Department of radio-astronomy of Crimean astrophysical observatory of Academy of Sciences. In the middle of 1950-s here, on the coast of Goluboy Zaliv the 22-meters radio-telescope was built up, one of the biggest in the world. In October, 1959 for the first time in history it received the pictures of the dark side of the Moon, transmitted by soviet space station Luna-3. The unique equipment also studies the nature of the Sun. With its help several very important researches were performed, which helped to understand and predict the sun weather.
Today the guests of Simeiz have a wonderful opportunity to join the excursion around the observatory, which includes the inspection of astronomical equipment, watching the space objects through the telescope, getting acquainted with the Тstar map of the sky and the slide-show.
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