An Introduction
to Astronomy.
 

The society and Activities.
 
 

Membership to the society.
 
 

Links to other Astronomical sites.
 
 

Email the society.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Observatory of The Lebanese Astronomical Society and Beirut Arab University.

History:

In 1998 and with the growing interest of astronomy in Lebanon the Lebanese Astronomical Society was approached by one of the leading Universities in Lebanon,  Beirut Arab University , to set up an astronomy club and conduct astronomy lectures at the university. From the beginning this club and lectures attracted a large number of students from the University. This appeal has encouraged the University to invest more efforts in the promotion and teaching of astronomy to its students.

In June1999 the University took a brave decision to build its first observatory with the help of the Lebanese Astronomical Society. Construction of the observatory started in May 2000 and was completed in August 2001 . It was built on a large piece of land owned by the university 40 km on the outskirts of Beirut and  400 meters above see level.

This observatory is the only astronomical observatory operating in Lebanon at present. The management of this observatory is a joint effort between the University and the Lebanese Astronomical Society.This is a unique project that only a brave educational institute would implement and this will hopefully lead to more interest in the teaching and study of astronomy in Lebanon.

Description and pictures:

The observatory is a two story building 5 by 8 meters in dimension with a 5-meter diameter dome on top. This dome houses a 16 inch Meade  LX 200 reflecting telescope and equiped with all the main accesories required for astronomical observations such as several sizes eyepieces and a 
SBIG STV ccd video camera

    
The picture of the 16" Meade LX200 telescope of the Observatory inside the dome with  members of the society Mr. Ihsan Hafez and Mr. Adnan Taiara.

     
The mainfloor of the observatory which is a lecture area and an office showing the stairs leading up to the telescope and dome with other society members.
 

Note: 
for more information on other observatories and astronomical activies in Lebanon visit the sites and pages below: 

-Al Kawn company. 
(Meade telescopes in Lebanon and the Middle East) 

-The American University Observatory