Areg Mikayelyan – Armenia among the world leaders in the sphere of virtual astronomy

YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenia, becoming one of the 17 members of the International Alliance of Virtual Observatories, is currently one of the leaders in the sphere of virtual astronomy in the world, head of the Armenia’s Virtual Observatory program, member of the Executive Committee of the International Alliance of Virtual Observatories Areg Mikayelyan told Armenpress, at the same time informing that the Alliance includes such scientifically and economically powerful states as the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, etc.

The virtual observatory possesses the data on astronomy received in the world giving an opportunity to work with corresponding standards and programs.

“We are dealing with virtual sky that has many times shot with different telescopes, including the whole domain of electromagnetic waves,” Areg Mikayelyan said.

The International Alliance of Virtual Observatories was established in 2002 as a result of cooperation of American, English and All-European virtual observatories, later other national virtual observatories’ projects joined the alliance, including the Armenian one in 2005. Currently the alliance consists of virtual observatories of 17 states – the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, China, India, Australia, Spain, Armenia, Brazil, South Korea, Hungary and All-European virtual observatory which guide the development of astronomy.

“For joining the alliance a country applies to its leadership which discusses the contribution of the certain state in the virtual astronomy and either approves or rejects the claim,” he said.