The scientific and educational cycle started with an excursion to the S.P. Korolev Astrocomplex: The participants saw sunspots and flashes

On June 25, the Gutenberg Smoking Room, a partner of the Frontiers of Science Guild, conducted a free tour of the S.P. Korolev Astrocomplex located at the Institute of Physics, Technology and Information Systems of Moscow State University. The event brought together a full group of 30 people.

The participants had a rare opportunity to get acquainted with the unique equipment. The program included:

• 130-mm refractor telescope (AVR‑3) on a classical equatorial mount;
• CORONADO solar telescope, designed for safe observation of the sun.

Invited experts told the guests about the telescopes, their design and operating principles. :

• Polina Levkina — Candidate of Physico-Mathematical Sciences, Researcher at the Department of Solar System Research at the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences (INASAN);
• Maksim Manziuk is a member of the Moscow Branch of the Astronomical and Geodetic Association.

The faculty also conducted a detailed tour of the observatory, telling about the history of this place, the device of modern telescopes, the purpose of special filters for observing the Sun and how scientific work is conducted in urban environments. The guests learned what technical solutions allow astronomers to conduct research even in a megalopolis.

The weather on the day of the tour pleased the participants: thanks to the CORONADO solar telescope , everyone was able to view sunspots in real time and even record flashes — a sight that is usually accessible only to trained observers.

The event opened the cycle of scientific and educational visits of the Gutenberg Smoking Room. Ahead , the organizers promise new meetings that will allow everyone interested in astronomy to get to know more about the work of scientists and modern equipment.