The National Astronomical Observatory Rozhen with the Institute of Astronomy at the Bulgarian Academy of Science has open-door day today, June 12. The event coincides with the Christian feast Pentecost. The Holy Trinity chapel marks its patron saint’s day on Pentecost. It is located near the entrance of the observation tower and was built in 1935.

Rozhen Observatory is the largest observatory in Southeastern Europe. A 1.5-metre telescope built by an Austrian company will be installed at the site at the end of the summer. Its purpose will be to observe variable stars and quasars and to track small objects in the Solar System. The construction of the new telescope and observation tower is funded by the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure 2020-2027, which is coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Science.

Compiled by: Gergana Mancheva

English version: Kostadin Atanasov