Telescope “Aristarchos”

The telescope of the National Observatory of Athens with “ARISTARCHOS ‘name is the largest telescope in the Balkans and the second largest in mainland Europe, located at the top” Neraidorahi “Helmos at an altitude of 2,340 m. Aristarchus was named in honor of the ancient Greek astronomer Aristarchus. Some features of the telescope is a large field that is ideal for participation in international programs, a very good optical quality which have image resolution, remote control and programmable function network from its headquarters Observatory in Athens or from other collaborating Observatories Greece or abroad, equipment with sophisticated astronomical instruments such as CCD cameras and spectrographs high and intermediate resolution. The reasons for preferring the top of Helmos for such a modern and important venture NOA is that there is provision of functional infrastructure of the establishment of the Ski Centre where easy road access, power and phone, does not suffer from light pollution of cities as major cities are located behind the mountains. It is also one of the darkest parts of Europe, the telescope is above the clouds heavily annually and can observe images which are of exceptional quality. Further, the altitude (2,340 m.) Positioned the telescope, it is appropriate to observe in infrared light and searched for existence of planets in our galaxy, stellar explosions, chemical composition, structure and dynamics of galaxies, and galaxy clusters. The operation of the telescope is optoilektromichaniki, friendly to the environment. The measuring device installation level background pollutant gases and greenhouse gases, very important for environmental protection. It also provides meteorological data in the Ski Center. The installation of the telescope with Aristarchus name is educational or training students on site as well as through a network, or public education, such as schools, universities, cultural institutions etc.Or for scientific and technological high quality services to educational and social institutions. The telescope has been included in the European Programme «OPTICON» which brings together the largest and most advanced telescopes in Europe and there is interest in using the telescopic lens from research institutions for scientific collaboration and research.