National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Research institute and astronomical observatory in Helwan, Egypt.
The National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics in Helwan sits on a limestone plateau with views toward the Nile and carries out astronomical research. The facility houses multiple telescopes, specialized laboratories, and weather measurement equipment used by researchers to observe the sky and study the data collected.
The institute was founded in 1840 and moved from Abbasiya to Helwan in 1904, settling on the elevated plateau where it remains today. The move to this raised location provided better conditions for astronomical observations away from the city's light pollution.
The facility preserves traditional Arabic astronomical instruments and demonstrates how astronomers once read the night sky. Visitors can view antique brass tools and historical records in the museum that show how observation methods changed over time.
Bring a guide or join a tour to understand the complex equipment and how it is used for observations. Visit during clear nights when possible, and check ahead about access to different areas and whether tours are being offered.
The facility houses a rare 8-inch refractor telescope inside a 35-foot dome, equipment rarely found in places outside Western Europe during that era. This telescope reflects an early period of international scientific exchange and shows how advanced optical instruments reached Egypt.
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