The Batabat section of the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory was established on the basis of decision No. 13 adopted by the Presidium of the EA of Azerbaijan SSR on March 25, 1971. In a short period of time, the location of the future observatory was chosen in Batabat, and there the studies for the study of astroclimate were started. The selected site was located at an altitude of 2050 m above sea level. As a result of hiring local young people who graduated from Moscow, Leningrad and Baku universities, a collective with strong scientific potential was created in a short time in the Batabat department. 10 years after the establishment of the station, 4 people were candidates and 4 people were continuing their education in different forms. In 1974, the first large telescope - the Solar Coronagraph - was built in the Batabat section. Soon, through that telescope, observations were started in the framework of research in the field of solar physics and very interesting scientific results were obtained. In 1976, a total solar eclipse was observed here. Even though the Batabat division was part of the SARC, it could act completely freely in certain matters. So, in 1978-1979, All-Union conferences on comets were held in Batabat. In the 1970s and 1980s, more than 120 scientific works of the chair's employees were published in many prestigious scientific journals of the USSR and Europe.
From 1969, the permanent expedition of the Pulkova Observatory began to operate in Aghdara, which is located 2000 m above sea level in the Ordubad region. By the decision of the Presidium of EA of Azerbaijan on November 05, 1997, Agdara Astronomical Station was merged into SAR.
On August 07, 2002, there was a decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the establishment of the Nakhchivan Division of ANAS. According to the order, 6 independent research institutions were established within ANAS NB, one of which was the Batabat Astrophysics Observatory. The Batabat Astrophysics Observatory was established on the basis of the Batabat division of the SCAR and the territory of the Aghdara Astronomical Station, its material and technical base and personnel potential. The Batabat Astrophysics Observatory started its actual operation in January 2003.
The state care for science and education in the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Nakhchivan MR, included the BAR during the years of independence. As a result of this care, in 2004, in the city of Nakhchivan of the BAR, in 2006-2007, in the area where the Batabat division of the SAR is located, an administrative building that meets all the modern requirements was built and given to the staff of the Observatory. The "Zeiss-600" telescope was sent to the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory and modernized to a modern level and installed in Batabat in September 2007.
The observatory was subordinated to the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan from 2023 to 2025.
Signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan "Republic of Azerbaijan Science and "On additional measures to optimize the activities of scientific institutions under the Ministry of Education and increase their efficiency" was signed on April 4, 2025. According to the order, the Batabat Astrophysical Observatory was placed under the authority of Nakhchivan State University.
The Batabat Astrophysical Observatory consists of an administrative building in Nakhchivan, Batabat station and Aghdara station in Ordubad region.
Photometry and computer rooms were put into use in the new two-story administrative building in Batabat. Since the observations in the observatory are mainly carried out at night, two bedrooms have been allocated in the building.
In addition to local experts, employees of the subject laboratory of the Moscow State University Astronomy Institute also participated in the process of building the telescope.
The observatory is located at an altitude of 2050 meters above sea level and at a latitude of 39 degrees.
2 departments operate in the observatory:
- "Positional observations of celestial bodies" department"Solar system" in the "Positional observations of celestial bodies" department "observations and research of celestial bodies" (mainly small bodies of the solar system: comets) are carried out.
- "Photometry of celestial bodies" department"Photometric observations of bright stars" in the "Photometry of celestial bodies" department is being studied. Scientific work is mainly related to photometry of symbiotic stars (CH Cyg, AG Dra, AG Peg, etc.), young stars (AS205, HAeBe, AS 442 and AS 310, etc.), Prosion and Arcturus stars. Made in Germany.Eight employees are directly engaged in scientific research at the observatory. 1 electronic engineer and 1 laboratory assistant provide assistance to scientific research work. Scientific research works are carried out by employees of 2 departments in 1 scientific direction, 1 problem, 2 topics, 2 works and 8 stages. Mammadov Ruslan Tavakgul oglu – director2. Asgarli Fazli Shukur oglu - chief accountant3. Pashayeva Gulnar Teyyub gizi - human resources specialist, celestial body position observation department4. Dadashov Alovsat Safar oglu - leading scientific worker5. Gafarova Vafa Ajdar gizi - scientific worker6. Hasanov Agali Ali oglu – leading electronic artist7. Safarov Veli Qiyas oghlu – laboratory technician, celestial body photometry department8. Mammadli Azad Hidayat oglu - head of department9. Tahirov Mirhasan Mammad oglu - leading scientific worker10. Valiyev Ulvu Sayyad oglu - senior scientific worker11. Mammadova Turkan Museyib gizi - scientific worker12. Huseynova Faida Surkhay gizi - junior scientific worker, Household staff13. Hasanova Inci Etibar girl – computer operator14. Ismayilov Etibar Hasan oglu – driver15. Guliyev Rafail Hazi oglu - electrical fitter16. Safarov Radig Yusif oghlu – watchman17. Nasirov Afiq Mammad oglu – watchman18. Hajiyev Seymur Haji oglu - watchman19. Mehdiyev Murad Mehdi oglu – watchman20. Seyidov Mirgasim Mirali oglu - watchman21. Mehdiyev Kamran Gasham oglu - watchman22. Madadova Gunay Asker girl – housekeeper23. Safarova Shahana Surkhay gizi - housekeeper24. Rahimova Nurangiz Ayyub girl - housekeeper
