Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory

The Nasreddin Tusi Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory stands on the eastern slopes of Mount Pirqulu at an elevation of almost 1,500 meters. Since its founding in 1959, it has served as Azerbaijan’s principal center for astrophysical research. The observatory operates telescopes with mirrors up to two meters in diameter, and scientists study stellar dynamics, solar physics, planets, and satellites. Researchers working here have discovered new asteroids and contributed to cosmology and radio astronomy. The institute is named after the eminent scholar Nasreddin Tusi.

The observatory’s director, Hajibey Sultanov, was said to spend more time with paperwork and visiting Academy of Sciences officials than at the telescope. Jokers therefore reinterpreted the observatory’s abbreviation as the ‘Shashlik Astrophysical Observatory.’