National Astronomical Observatory - Rozhen

Overview

The National Astronomical Observatory - Rozhen (abbreviation: NAO - Rozhen) is the largest astronomical observatory in Southeast Europe and the Balkans. The Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory was officially opened on March 13, 1981, but regular monitoring of scientific programs began in September 1979. It is Bulgaria's largest one-time investment in scientific infrastructure (over BGN 12 million) and still is the largest astronomical observatory in the Balkans and in this region of Southeast Europe in general. It is located in the Rhodopes, it was built on the top "St. Duh ”, above the Rozhen area, near Chepelare. It is managed by the Institute of Astronomy of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. It is equipped with 6 telescopes: universal 2 meter Ritchey-Chretien-Coude (RCC or RKK) reflector by Carl Zeiss Jena, 50/70 cm Schmidt, 60 cm Cassegrain, built by himself 15 cm solar coronagraph, 30 cm MEADE, 18 cm Meniscas Cassegrain. NAO Rozhen provides observations on a wide range of astronomical and astrophysical tasks - from the dynamics and physics of bodies from the solar system to extragalactic research.