The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has listed the Byurakan Observatory in Armenia as Outstanding Astronomical Heritage.
The Byurakan Observatory is presented as the most important astronomical center in Eastern Europe and Middle East region, both by its scientific instruments and achievements.
The Observatory was founded in 1946 on the initiative of Viktor Amazaspovich Ambartsumian (1908–1996), the first director and famous Armenian scientist of the 20th century. Since 1998 the it bears the name of Ambartsumian.
