Byurakan observatory to study cosmic waste

Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory has signed a cooperation agreement with the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics (Russia) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), the director of Byurakan Observatory, Hayk Harutyunyan, told a news conference on Wednesday.

During their recent visit to Armenia, Russian diplomats discussed possibilities of bilateral cooperation in different spheres, including astrophysics.

"Byurakan Astronomic Observatory calls for participation in an international program aimed at studying near-earth spaces rich in spaceship debris, as well as the asteroids endangering the planet," Harutyunyan said, adding that such debris, commonly known as "cosmic waste", may fall on Earth any time.

"The near-east space studies are practical in nature. Our observatory is engaged in fundamental research in the sphere of astrophysics," he added.

Harutyunyan said the telescopes in the observatory needed modernization for the upcoming studies.

"A couple of days ago, a request was submitted to the Armenian embassy in Moscow for having the issue discussed on the top level," the observatory director said.