What is Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory?
{{Infobox observatory |name = Nasir al-Din al-Tusi Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory |image = Shamakhi observatory.jpg |caption = Panoramic view of the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory |organization = [[Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences]] |established = {{Start date|1960|01|13}} |alt_names = |abbreviation = ShAO |coordinates = {{coord|40|46|55|N|48|35|48|E|display=inline,title}} |telescope1_name= 2 m Carl Zeiss Jena |telescope1_type=reflector |telescope2_name=70 cm AZT-8 photoelectric telescope |telescope2_type=Cassegrain reflector |telescope3_name=60 cm Zeiss-600 telescope |telescope3_type=Cassegrain reflector |telescope4_name=35 cm |AST-452 meniscus telescope |telescope4_type=Catadioptric |website = [http://www.shao.az/ Shao.az] }} '''Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory''' ({{lang-az|Nəsirəddin Tusi adına Şamaxı Astrofizika Rəsədxanası}}) is an [[astronomy|astronomical]] [[observatory]] in the [[Greater Caucasus|Greater Caucasus Mountains]] in [[Shamakhi Rayon]] in [[Azerbaijan]]. The observatory is one of the biggest in the [[South Caucasus]]. It is named after the [[medieval]] [[Persian people|Persian]] [[astronomer]] [[Nasir al-Din al-Tusi]]. It is owned and operated by the [[Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences]]. It was built between 1958-1960 during the [[Soviet Union|Soviet era]] as the main observing site for the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences which is located {{convert|144|km|mi|0|lk=on|abbr=on}} away in [[Baku]]. The observatory is about {{convert|22|km|mi|0|lk=on|abbr=on}} northwest of the city of [[Shamakhi]]. The observatory is at {{convert|1435|m|ft|0|lk=on|abbr=on}} above [[sea level]]. It has 150–200 clear, [[cloud]]less nights per year, which is the reason why the observatory was built at this location. It has a total of four [[telescope]]s. Many [[comets]], [[asteroids]] and other [[astronomical object]]s were discovered with its telescopes. == Other websites == {{Commons category|Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory}} * [http://www.shao.az/