Kiev Astronomical Observatory

a scientific research institution of the T. G. Shevchenko University of Kiev. Founded in 1845, the observatory presently comprises the divisions of astrometry, solar physics, and meteor astronomy; it has two observation stations outside the city. It is primarily involved in meridian observations to determine the precise position of celestial bodies and compile star catalogs, the survey of the sun and spectrophotometric investigations of formations in the solar atmosphere, optical and radar observations of meteor phenomena, and investigations of comets. Problems of theoretical astrophysics, the general theory of relativity, and cosmology are also worked on. The observatory’s most important instruments are meridian and circle astrographs, a photospheric-chromospheric telescope, a horizontal solar telescope, optical meteoric patrols, and meteor radar equipment.