Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) was founded in 1946 on the initiative of academician Victor Ambartsumian, who became the first director of the observatory. It is located on the picturesque southern slope of the mountain Aragats. At the observatory there are 12 observational instruments installed, the larger ones being 2.6 m Cassegrain telescope and 1m Schmidt telescope. Scientific researches of the observatory are related mainly with the instability phenomena taking place in the Universe. Since 1946 numerous scientific meetings have been held in Byurakan including four symposia and a colloquium of the IAU. The architectural ensemble of the observatory comprises the administrative buildings and telescope towers. Buildings constructed during 1940-1950’s were designed by the famous Armenian architect Samvel Safarian, while the ones constructed during 1960-1980’s by Sargis Gurzadian.Besides the scientific research the observatory fulfils an informative activity by organizing excursions and lectures for amateurs. Since 1998 the Byurakan Observatory bears the name of V. A. Ambartsumian.
Dr. Areg MICKAELIAN - Head of the department of Astronomical Surveys, leading research associate
Lecturer at Department of Astrophysics, Yerevan State University (YSU) - Director of BAO - President of BAO Scientific Council - President of ArAS - Head of ArVO - Scientific Secretary of the International Steering Committee of Viktor Ambartsumian International Prize.
Member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), European Astronomical Society (EAS), Euro-Asian Astronomical Society (EAAS), American Astronomical Society (AAS), Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), International Planetary Data Alliance (IPDA), International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA), BAO Special Council for Scientific Degrees.