The observatory is located at an altitude of 4370 meters above sea level. At that time, the observatory belonged to the Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory of the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). It was one of the most important research observatories in the entire USSR. This observatory was built considering the specific climate of the territory Eastern Pamir.
It was built by a number of professionals, whose names are still preserved on one of the memorial plaques. It was originally named the Pamir Astronomical Expedition of the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union. The expedition was organized by two institutions – the Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory and the Space Research Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union. When Tajikistan gained sovereignty, the observatory functioned under the Institute of Astrophysics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan named after S. Umarov. It is designed to observe the cosmic rays. Shorbuloq Observatory was established to observe the movement of Sun at the highest point in the former Soviet Union.
The location of the observatory allows astronomers to observe all objects of the northern hemisphere and objects of the southern hemisphere. From 1992 until recent years, the observatory was in disrepair, and its telescope was completely out of order. The government of Tajikistan is attempting to make investment to repair and restore the telescope. The site of Shorbuloq attracts the attention of tourists with its amazing landscapes. From the panoramic tower, you can enjoy the view of the mountain peaks of Chinese Xinjiang, Kongur and Muztag-Ata, if, of course, there are no clouds on the horizon. Although the observatory does not work after restoration, in the future it may become objects for astro-tourism. Tourists interested in astrophysics (physicists, astronomers).
This place is unique for observing the northern celestial hemisphere. The point is in the favorable climate of the Eastern Pamirs, characterized by a large number of cloudless nights, high transparency and dry air. At the moment, the observatory is abandoned. Shorbuloq observatory is located in the Murghob district, at 310 km off the Khorog-Murghob highway.
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Travelling to site
The observatory can be reached by rented vehicles from Khorog, Murghob or the village of Alichur. Tourists can also travel to the site by bicycle. They can travel to this site via following routes: Murghob-Shorbuloq (along the Pamir highway) or Khorog-Ishkoshim -Shorbuloq.
