The Irkutsk Planetarium is located in the Siberian city of Irkutsk and has a planetarium, observatory, and museum. In addition, the planetarium observatory conducts observing sessions 44 miles (72 km) outside of town near Glubokaya, at a location that is 3000 feet (914 meters) above sea level and surrounded by the taiga (Siberian forest). This stargazing place has more than 200 clear nights per year and a 24-hour café 1 mile (2 km) away. Professional astronomers conduct the observing sessions on nights of a new moon.
Deborah Byrd
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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.