Science fiction-looking roof structure, Assy Turgen Observatory, Assy Plateau, Kazakhstan

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The Assy Turgen Observatory lies on the Assy Plateau at 2750 m and has excellent conditions for astrological observations. The large () and small (1M) observatories were build in Soviet times by the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute and the 1M scope began observation in 1981. It ceased activity in 1991 with the fall of the Soviet Union and is currently in a state of considerable decay. Plans to launch the m telescope are underway but there was no evidence of this at the time I was there.

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Size: 5000px × 4000px
Location: Assy Turgen Observatory, Assy Plateau, Kazakhstan
Photo credit: © Terry Allen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: 1991, abandoned, assy, astrophysical, blue, clouds, culture, decayed, derelict, fesenkov, high, institute, kazakhstan, ladder, observatory, peeling, plains, plaster, plateau, roof, rotting, science, sky, soviet, travel, turgen