Installation of a new robotic 80-cm telescope at Kryoneri Observatory
During April–May 2026, IAASARS completed the construction of a new retractable-roof building and the installation of a modern robotic telescope at the Kryoneri Observatory in Corinthia.
The new telescope (ASA800) is equipped with an 80 cm primary mirror and operates at a focal ratio of f/6.5. It is a Ritchey–Chrétien optical design featuring two Nasmyth foci and is mounted on an alt-azimuth mount. The telescope is fully robotic and remotely operated, and is equipped with two imaging cameras as well as a filter wheel. The telescope building features a retractable roof that opens during observations and has been designed to close automatically, without human intervention, in the event of adverse weather conditions, ensuring the protection of the equipment.
On May 20, 2026, immediately following the installation of the telescope, the first test observations were successfully carried out. Work on the configuration and optimization of the system’s automated functions is currently ongoing. The telescope is intended to support both Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) applications and astronomical observations and research programs.
The project is funded entirely by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), while its implementation has been undertaken by Cilium Engineering Sp. z o.o.
The accompanying images present snapshots from the construction of the building, the installation of the telescope, the instrument itself, and photographs obtained during the first test observations.
