Research infrastructure

Facilities and infrastructure

The observational base of Ukrainian astronomy spans radio, optical, solar and geodetic instruments, from the world's largest decametre-wave radio telescope to a network of university observatories and suburban observing stations. This overview is based on the Recovery Plan for Ukrainian Astronomy.

This page is under construction: facility profiles, photos and technical details will be expanded in the coming weeks.

Radio astronomy

Ukraine has a long tradition of low-frequency radio astronomy, anchored by instruments that are unique in the world.

Kharkiv region · IRA NASU

UTR-2 and the S. Ya. Braude Observatory

The Ukrainian T-shaped Radio telescope (second modification) is the world's largest decametre-wave radio telescope: about 2,040 antenna elements with an effective area of 150,000 square metres, in operation since 1972. It anchors the S. Ya. Braude Radio Astronomy Observatory of the Institute of Radio Astronomy. The observatory was occupied for six months in 2022 and returned to observations in October 2023 after repairs and demining.

Operated by the Institute of Radio Astronomy, NAS of Ukraine.

Ukraine-wide · IRA NASU

URAN interferometer network and GURT

The URAN 1 to 4 stations form a decametre interferometer network across Ukraine and hold the status of a National Heritage object. The GURT (Giant Ukrainian Radio Telescope) array of new-generation antennas is being developed at the Braude Observatory site, alongside the RT-32 dish. Together with UTR-2 they connect Ukrainian low-frequency radio astronomy to European networks such as LOFAR and NenuFAR.

Operated by the Institute of Radio Astronomy, NAS of Ukraine.

Kharkiv region · NURE

MARS meteor radar, Balakliya

The Meteor Automated Radar System of the B. L. Kashcheyev Radio Astronomy Research Laboratory (Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics), part of the Balakliya Multipurpose Geophysical Complex, has carried out meteor experiments of global significance and is included in the list of National Heritage objects of Ukraine.

Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics.

Optical telescopes and observing stations

University observatories and academic institutes operate a network of optical telescopes in the cities and at suburban observing stations.

Kyiv · MAO NASU

Main Astronomical Observatory instruments

The MAO in Holosiiv operates the ATsU-5 horizontal solar telescope, the AZT-2 reflector and the "Kyiv-Holosiiv" laser ranging station. Its Mykolaiv branch adds six automated telescopes built at the observatory, including the Axial Meridian Circle with National Heritage status, plus meteor camera and radio-meteor station networks across southern Ukraine.

Operated by the Main Astronomical Observatory, NAS of Ukraine.

Kyiv · Shevchenko University

Kyiv university observatory and stations

AZT-8 and AZT-14 reflectors, a horizontal solar telescope and meteor complexes, with two suburban observing stations in the villages of Lisnyky and Pylypovychi that serve both research and the training of students.

Operated by the Astronomical Observatory of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

Kharkiv · Karazin University

Kharkiv instruments and the Chuhuiv station

An AZT-8 telescope, the AFR-2 solar telescope and a spectrophotometric complex, with a suburban observing station near Chuhuiv. The Chuhuiv station found itself in the combat zone in 2022: the CCD cameras of its telescopes were destroyed and part of its equipment was stolen.

Operated by the Research Institute of Astronomy, Karazin University.

Odesa · Mechnikov University

Odesa telescopes, Mayaky and Kryzhanivka

The OMT-800 and AZT-3 telescopes, the fast alt-azimuth KT-50 for near-Earth space monitoring and a Schmidt telescope, with observing stations at Mayaky and Kryzhanivka. The historic Mayaky station also preserves Odesa's famous collection of astrographic plates; it is currently mothballed because of its location in a high-risk zone.

Operated by the Astronomical Observatory of Odesa Mechnikov University.

Lviv · Franko University

Lviv telescopes and laser ranging

An AZT-14 telescope, a Horizontal Solar Telescope, the chromospheric-photospheric AFR-2 telescope and a satellite laser rangefinder, with a suburban observing station at Briukhovychi. The observatory contributes to the International Laser Ranging Service and is a member of the CTAO Consortium.

Operated by the Astronomical Observatory of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.

Terskol peak · ICAMER

ICAMER: Zeiss-2000 and the Terskol observatory

The International Centre for Astronomical and Medico-Ecological Research of the NAS of Ukraine operated the Zeiss-2000 (2 m) and Zeiss-600 telescopes, a Small Horizontal Solar Telescope and high-resolution spectrometers at the high-altitude Terskol observatory. Access to the facility has been lost to Ukraine as a result of Russia's actions.

International Centre for Astronomical and Medico-Ecological Research, NAS of Ukraine.

Space geodesy and monitoring

Lviv · Lviv Polytechnic

GNSS and atmosphere monitoring

A permanent GNSS station operating since 2001, a digital meteorological station, an educational optical telescope and a radio-range meteor activity monitoring station. The department has also installed a GNSS station in Antarctica at the Vernadsky Research Base.

Operated by the Astronomical Observatory of Lviv Polytechnic National University.

Ukraine-wide

Meteor and satellite networks

Beyond the individual observatories, Ukrainian institutions run distributed networks: meteor cameras and radio-meteor stations across the southern regions (Mykolaiv), synchronous satellite-signal receiving stations, and near-Earth space monitoring instruments that feed international data services.

See the institutions overview for the operators.

Profiles of individual instruments, their current condition and recovery needs will be added here as the overview grows; see also the impact of the war on these facilities.