Kazakhstan Installs Robotic Telescope in World’s Top Stargazing Site

In a landmark achievement for Kazakhstan’s scientific community, a high-precision robotic telescope developed by the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute has been successfully installed and activated in Chile’s Atacama Desert-one of the world’s premier locations for astronomical observation.

The telescope is now operating at the ObsTech International Observatory, a leading global center for astrophysical research, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media.

This marks the first time a Kazakh telescope has been deployed to a site outside the country, giving local scientists access to the southern sky for the first time.

The project is the result of nearly seven years of collaboration between Kazakh astrophysicists and their counterparts at the University of Santiago in Chile. During this partnership, the idea of establishing an astronomical hub in Kazakhstan also began to take shape. That initiative is now underway at the Assy-Turgen Observatory in the Northern Tien Shan Mountains.

Ivan Ossandon, a technical support specialist at ObsTech, emphasized the telescope’s significance:

“Kazakhstan’s new telescope is the largest here. Its mirror diameter is one meter. This is a very serious instrument for scientific research. Most importantly, your specialists can now observe constellations and various objects in the Southern sky. In Kazakhstan, they are always below the horizon and are not visible. This telescope can also be used by students for practical classes,” he said.

Currently, ObsTech hosts about 140 telescopes, with around 60 per cent of clients hailing from the United States.

Beyond expanding research capabilities, the initiative is also contributing to scientific education in Kazakhstan. Students from Nazarbayev University and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University are now involved in hands-on training using the telescope, gaining valuable experience in astronomical observation and data analysis.

The Atacama Desert-renowned for its exceptionally dry climate, high altitude, and virtually nonexistent light pollution-offers ideal conditions for stargazing. Though inhospitable to most plant and animal life, its clear skies make it one of the most sought-after sites for observatories worldwide.

With the successful launch of the telescope, Kazakhstan takes a major step forward in integrating with the global astrophysics community while laying the foundation for future innovation and exploration at home.