Odesa planetarium lost windows and doors as a result of shelling, but is still operating

The planetarium and telescope of the astronomical observatory in Odesa are working despite significant damage to the windows and doors in the premises.

This was reported on the planetarium's Facebook page.

"The planetarium and telescope are working, but there is a lot of damage, many windows, doors, and other destruction. We have a storage facility and a generator, a water reserve. So we will work. But we need help with the restoration. When transferring money, be sure to indicate "For the restoration of the Odesa Astronomical Observatory, damaged by shelling," the institution noted.

The Astronomical Observatory Research Institute or Odesa Observatory is an astronomical observatory within the Mechnikov Odesa National University.

The Odesa Astronomical Observatory was founded in 1871 as part of the Imperial Novorossiysk University, which had been opened in Odesa shortly before. The observatory was part of the Department of Astronomy.

In 1920, after the liquidation of the Novorossiysk University, the observatory was renamed the Odesa State Astronomical Observatory, which was once called and operated as the Main State Astronomical Observatory of the Ukrainian People's Commissariat of Astronomy.

In 1933, the observatory was again incorporated into the Department of Astronomy at the restored Odesa State University. The observatory was not damaged or looted during the German occupation.

In the early 1990s, the observatory installed new instruments with mirror diameters of 80 centimeters in Turkmenistan and 100 centimeters in Slovakia.

At the same time, the observatory was transferred to the rank of a Research Institute of the first category, while retaining its historical name "Astronomical Observatory".

Кирило Бойко