Armenia’s Byurakan Observatory hosts “Our Unstable Universe” int’l symposium

The international symposium titled “Our Unstable Universe” kicked off on September 14 at the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory named after Viktor Hambardzumyan. It is being held as part of events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the founding of the observatory.

During the opening session, Director of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory Areg Mikayelyan welcomed the participants and highlighted the institution’s history, scientific achievements, and current research activities.

Representatives of other Armenian scientific and educational institutions, as well as some foreign participants, also highlighted the scientific legacy of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. The symposium has around 80 participants, including prominent scientists, among them astronomers, physicists, cosmologists, specialists working in astronomy and other scientific disciplines, as well as numerous young researchers and students.

Speaking to Armenpress about the theme of the symposium, Deputy Director of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory Hayk Abrahamyan noted that unstable phenomena are characteristic of all celestial bodies and objects.

“One can say that studies of virtually all cosmic objects and physical phenomena occurring in the universe are related to this theme. At the Byurakan symposium, we will discuss a very broad range of issues, from stars to distant galaxies, galactic nuclei, quasars, blazars, and so on. A separate topic is also devoted to historical and cultural astronomy,” he detailed.

Abrahamyan said that some foreign participants had admitted that it was a great honor for them to present reports at this particular symposium.

According to him, the current year has been full of various events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, among which the international conference held in May on the connection between astronomy and related sciences stands out. Meanwhile, the 10th Byurakan International Summer School was held from September 7 to 11.

The Hambardzumyan Lectures are also planned in the near future.

The symposium will continue at the hall of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia and will conclude on September 18. During the symposium, considerable attention will be devoted to Viktor Hambardzumyan’s role in the study of non-stationary phenomena and evolutionary processes in the universe. The scientific ideas of our world-renowned compatriot and subsequent research conducted at the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory played a revolutionary role in shaping scientists’ understanding of the development and dynamics of the universe.

As part of the symposium, on September 18, Viktor Hambardzumyan’s birthday, which is also officially observed in Armenia as Astronomy Day, an astronomical festival (AstroFest-2026) will be held. On that day, dozens of scientists, students, and other guests will visit the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory and meet with researchers, writers, poets, composers, and artists.