In the warm and sunny summer of 1970, thirty young men stood in an open field and looked up at the sky, “armed” with only seven small telescopes and a lot of energy and enthusiasm. This was the beginning of observational astronomy for students from Kardzhali, and later – from the whole of Bulgaria.
The Summer Astronomical School, or Stars Academy, is entering its 47th edition this year. Over a few weeks, participants observe and study the night sky in an open field in the Belite Brezi area. Curious explorers and perhaps future astronauts and cosmonauts spend the entire night talking and searching for explanations of phenomena and answers to scientific problems. Young lecturers and seminars are also part of the program. This year, they include prominent university lecturers, leading astrophysicists and young scientists from prestigious universities worldwide.
The researchers hail from higher education institutions in Manchester, Bath and Princeton. The director of the Astronomical Observatory in Kardzhali, which organizes the event is Agop Uzunbohusian. He says, “The observations form the basis of scientific papers that are presented at international forums.” Agop is one of the first members of the school.
Results are presented at student conferences and forums, where the projects gain recognition and win numerous awards. Today, many of the students who have taken part in the initiative in the past decades work for prestigious companies and research institutes around the world.
America for Bulgaria Foundation supports the astronomy school because we believe in young Bulgarian scientists’ potential and talent.
