An overview is presented of work at Bosscha Observatory during the last ten years. Future developments are also discussed.

Since the installation of the Observatorio Cagigal in Caracas, astronomy in Venezuela has developed steadily, and, in the last few decades, has been strong. Both theoretical and observational astronomy now flourish in Venezuela. A research group, Grupo de Astrofísica (GA) at the Universidad de Los Andes (ULA) in Mérida, started with few members but now has increased its numbers and undergone many transformations, promoting the creation of the Grupo de Astrofísica Teórica (GAT), the Grupo de Astronomía, the Centro de Astrofísica Teòrica (CAT), and with other collaborators initiated the creation of a graduate study program (that offers master’s and doctor’s degrees) in the Postgrado de Física Fundamental of ULA. With the financial support of domestic Science Foundations such as CONICIT, CDCHT, Fundacite, and individual and collective grants, many research projects have been started and many others are planned. Venezuelan astronomy has benefitted from the interest of researchers in other countries, who have helped to improve our scientific output and instrumentation. With the important collaboration of national and foreign institutions, astronomy is becoming one of the strongest disciplines of the next decade in Venezuela.

Decades of efforts made by Chinese astronomers have established some basic facilities for astronomy observations, such as the 2.16-m optical telescope, the solar magnetic-field telescope, the 13.7-m millimeter-wave radio telescope etc. One mega-science project, the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST), intended for astronomical and astrophysical studies requiring wide fields and large samples, has been initiated and funded.

To concentrate the efforts on mega-science projects, to operate and open the national astronomical facilities in a more effective way, and to foster the best astronomers and research groups, the National Astronomical Observatories (NAOs) has been coordinated and organizated. Four research centers, jointly sponsored by observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and universities, have been established. Nine principal research fields have received enhanced support at NAOs. They are: large-scale structure of universe, formation and evolution of galaxies, high-energy and cataclysmic processes in astrophysics, star formation and evolution, solar magnetic activity and heliogeospace environment, astrogeodynamics, dynamics of celestial bodies in the solar system and artificial bodies, space-astronomy technology, and new astronomical techniques and methods.

Over the next five years, South Africa and its international partners will construct the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), a 10-m optical/near-infrared spectroscopic survey telescope. This paper traces the arguments used to justify the construction of such a facility in Africa. The collateral benefits expected from this project are discussed, along with suggestions of how to realize these benefits. SALT has the potential to promote the development of astronomy on the continent. The creation of an African Network for Astronomy Education and Research is proposed as a way to stimulate such development.

Diameter measurements performed with the solar astrolabe are affected by atmospheric effects. In order to deduce significant astrophysical results, it is necessary to know how these effects contribute to the error of diameter measurement. For this purpose, a numerical simulation was developed leading to a law of error behaviour with observing conditions. In order to validate these results, recorded data obtained at the Calern observatory astrolabe (France) during the period 1996 – 1997 are used. A good agreement is observed with the simulation, which permit salso to give access to daily atmospheric time constants. (Co-author is A. Irbah, Algeria.)

1. An astronomical expedition from Pulkovo observatory in Bolivia, near Tarija was organized in 1982. The first telscope was an astrograph (D=23 cm, F=230 cm, field = 5x5 degrees). Sucsessful observations on this instrument are still being made. In all 7 astronomical instuments were installed. Now they are the National Bolivian Observatory.

The Sofia Sky Archive Data Center (SSADC) was developed on the base of the Wide-Field Plate Database (WFPDB – http://www.skyarchive.org) as a project of the Working Group on Sky Surveys, Commission 9 of the IAU, and is dedicated to saving plate collections. The center manages 12 PCs connected in a local computer network and a PDS 1010 microdensitometer donated by the European Southern Observatory. The main field of operation is the WFPDB development, plate digitization and image processing for different astronomical tasks in South- and East Europe (Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, etc.), and as a regional coordinator especially for the neighbour countries – Romania, Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. The main problem in the way of the WFPDB development is the creation of the computer-readable plate catalogues of the original logbooks because the speed of converting the logbooks in a computer-readable form is very low. The message is: we have to find the way to accelerate this important part of the project where the role of the developing countries in this direction should be very important. (Co-authors are: K. Tsvetkova, K. Stavrev V. Popov, H. Lukarski, A. Borisova, M-E. S. Michailov and G. Borisov of Sofia, Bulgaria, and S. Christov, Bulgarian South-West University).

Astronomy for developing countries must be simple, cheap and attractive. Advanced amateurs with small astronomical CCD instruments could be its base in these regions. Together with the astronomical community and professional astronomers of other countries, amateurs can solve a lot of practical tasks connected with the CCD observations of moving celestial bodies.

Ulugh Beg Astronomical Institute (UBAI) of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences is one of the oldest scientific institutions not only in Uzbekistan, but in the whole of Central Asia as well. There are five departments in the institute. The main directions of research are solar physics, young non-stationary and close binary stars in star formation regions, satellite geodynamics, non-linear and non-stationary evolution of galaxies. Helioseismology studies carried out in the frame of the IRIS (International Research on the Interior of the Sun) and TON (Taiwan Oscillation Network) projects. Astrophysical programmes such as a search for periodicity in star-formation regions, study of close binary stars in the same regions, as well as in open clusters, CCD photometry of extra-galactic objects as gravitation lenses have been made at the Maidanak Observatory, which is located in the south-east of Uzbekistan. Monitoring of the seeing at Mt. Maidanak from 1996 to 1999, using ESO Differential Image Motion Monitor, showed that its atmospheric conditions are comparable with the best international observatories. The present status of the main fields of research and prospects are discussed. (Co-author is Shurat A. Ehgamberdiev, Uzbekistan.)

Astronomy in the territory of today’s Republic of Macedonia has a century-long history. This history is presented in the essay, begining with M. Trpkovic’s suggestions to reform the orthodox calendar in 1900s, through the foundation of the first faculty of Macedonian language in Skopje in 1946, until today’s situation in astronomy.

In second half of the twentieth century, the development of astronomy in the Republic of Macedonia is divided in two different periods: before and after the big earthquake in Skopje in 1963. The first period is characterized by hope and enthusiasm, and a little observatory was started to be built, but it was destroyed in the earthquake. The last ten years a new upsurge is seen in Astronomy in the Republic of Macedonia, which is founded on Balkan and international collaboration.

Astronomy in Romania has an old tradition. After half a century of privations and isolation from the rest of the world, we believed that the changes undergone by our country in 1989 (and by the neighbour countries, as well) will be benefit for the Romanian astronomy, too. Indeed, it was, but for a very short period. The young people left the country, one by one, and others cannot accept the low salary offered by a research institute. The economy doesn’t allow us to enrich the astronomical endowment. Of course, we cannot close the observatories. We have to find other ways to save the astronomy in this part of Europe, especially in the epoch of the space astronomy.

Our Department of Galactic astronomy and Cosmogony of the Astronomical Institude of Uzbek Academy of Sciences has rich photo meterials obtained over more than 100 years by two telescopes (Normal Astrograph with F= 3500 mm, D= 330 mm and Zeiss Double Astrograph with F= 3000 mm, D= 400 mm). The main objects studied are:

1. 1 Open and Globular star clusters,

2. 2 Regions of the Milky Way and the Pulkovo Observatory program.

3. 3 Comets and Asteroids

4. 4 Planets and their Satellites.

There are also astronomical data received in the framework of a number of International programmes. Now we are working out some research-complex programmes of these objects. We are ready to collaborate on these programmes.

Galactic cluster studies and emission-line star surveys have conducted at the Bosscha Observatory since the establishment of Schmidt telescope in 1959. Though the mirror diameter is moderate, its coverage of 25 square degree sky area makes this telescope capable for survey works. Some results and plans will be given in the poster

Small telescopes can be powerful tools for astronomical research. Many are being used by professional and amateur astronomers to do important, even frontier, research. They are also extremely valuable tools for education. This paper discusses the characteristics of such telescopes, and it makes recommendations about items such as field of view, focal length, and so on. It also discusses a few small telescopes representative of what is currently being done. Astronomy needs such facilities as much as it needs the giant telescopes. They complement each other very well.

Modern astronomy has developed rapidly in the last few decades. Large telescopes, several metres in diameter, have been constructed and installed at many sites around the world, in order to carry out high-quality research work at the frontiers of astronomy. In many parts of the world, only small telescopes are available, because of budgetary limitations and the stage of development of science in the country. However, much effort has been put into using these small telescopes to the best of their capabilities. A small telescope with modern detectors can do good astronomical research. Sirindhorn Observatory, Chiang Mai University, is the only observatory in northern Thailand which plays an active role in astronomical research. The major instrument is the 40-cm Cassegrain reflecting telescope with standard wide-band and intermediate band photoelectric photometers, CCD photometers and a CCD spectrograph. Because of Thailand’s hot and humid climate, the telescopes and detectors at Sirindhorn Observatory need regular maintenance. Major research at the Observatory emphasizes the study of physical propoerties and evolution of close binary systems, especially near-contact and contact binaries, by photometric techniques. Networks in this field of research have been established through national and international collaboration with some astronomical institutes in the region. A larger telescope is being developed for more efficiency in operation; it is expected to be able to serve the future development of astronomical research in Thailand.

This paper examines ways in which those in astronomically-developing countries can begin to take part in meaningful astronomical research. It is based on a discussion paper, prepared by the author for a special session of IAU Commission 46 on 12 August 2000, and on the many comments contributed by the audience after the paper.

Radio astronomy has a major role in the study of the universe. The spiral structure of our Galaxy and the cosmic background radiation were first detected, and the dense component of interstellar gas is studied, at radio wavelengths. COBE revealed very weak temperature fluctuations in the microwave background, considered to be the seeds of galaxies and clusters of galaxies. Most electromagnetic radiation from outer space is absorbed or reflected by the Earth’s atmosphere, except in two narrow spectral windows: the visible-near-infrared and the radio, which are nearly transparent. Centimetre and longer radio waves propagate almost freely in space; observations of them are practically independent of weather. Turbulence in our atmosphere does not distort the wavefront, which simplifies the building of radio telescopes, because no devices are needed to correct for it. Observations at these wavelengths can be made in high atmospheric humidity, or where the sky is not clear enough for optical telescopes.

Simple instruments operating at radio wavelengths can be built at low cost in tropical countries, to teach students and to familiarize them with radio astronomy. We describe a two-antennae radio interferometer and a single-dish radio telescope operating at centimetre wavelengths. The Sun and strong synchrotron radio-sources, like Cassiopeia A and Cygnus A, are potential targets.

An unproductive 45-cm astronomical telescope, given by JICA (Japan) to Sri Lanka, raises general questions as to the reasons for unproductive pure science in developing countries. Before installation, site, maintenance, and scientific objectives were discussed. The facility was launched with a conference organised by the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs. Unfortunately, no research or significant education has resulted after four years. The annual operating cost is U.S. $5000 per year, including salary for a trainee, maintenance, and a modest promotional programme. Comparison with a similar installation in Auckland suggests lack of funding or technical competence do not explain the failure in Sri Lanka. The facility in New Zealand, on the roof of Auckland University’s Physics Department, has a slightly smaller budget but has led to modest but useful research and teaching. Lack of financial backing and expertise are often blamed for weak science in developing countries, but examination shows most of these countries have adequately skilled people, and plenty of resources for religion and military. General lack of motivation for science appears to be the principal reason. This lack of interest and highly inefficient bureaucracies are common to scientifically unproductive countries. They mostly lack the cultural and philosphical base of the European Renaissance that motivate the pursuit of modern science, an activity that violates human preferences. There are excellent facilities (ESO, SAAO, Cerro Tololo, and GONG) in some of these same countries, when administered from the West.

On today’s Internet, resources for astronomical research abound, and are available from wherever a connection is available. These are mostly in the form of freely accessible databases, ranging from literature services to space-mission archives. They offer instant access to the latest published data and papers, and unique opportunities for archival and innovative research. A sampling of such services will be listed, with notes on accessibility from far-flung points on the planet.