Maidanak Observatory

The Maidanak Observatory occupies a position at 2650 meters elevation, featuring multiple research telescopes for examining celestial objects through Central Asia's clear mountain air.

The facility commenced operations in 1970 as part of the Ulugh Beg Astronomical Institute, establishing itself as a primary research center for astronomical studies in Uzbekistan.

The observatory functions as an educational center where astronomers from various nations gather to conduct research and share scientific knowledge about the cosmos.

Visitors need to arrange transportation through mountainous terrain to reach the facility, which sits 500 kilometers southeast of Tashkent and 120 kilometers south of Samarkand.

The observatory experiences approximately 2000 hours of clear night skies annually, making it an essential location for observing astronomical phenomena between facilities in Hawaii and the Canary Islands.

Location: Qashqadaryo Region

Official opening: 1970

Elevation above the sea: 2,650 m

Website: http://astrin.uzsci.net/oldweb2/rus/maidanak

GPS coordinates: 38.68472,66.94444

Latest update: March 20, 2025 19:06