Since Yazd is a desert city, its sky has always been a starry sky that used to be a guide for travelers in the past, and now it is where visitors can enjoy the star and galaxy observation. The stars and the science of astronomy also had special importance in Islam for sighting of the first crescent of the lunar months, the determination of the direction of Qiblah and etc.

Today, the number of amateur astronomers and enthusiasts is highly increasing. Therefore, in 2003, the Islamic Azad University of Taft decided to lunch the country’s largest observatory, educational and administrative building, hold astronomy classes in Taft.

Another important reason for choosing this location was that it is the highest spot in Yazd province with no optical pollution. Taft observatory is a 500-square-meter building in Taft. It is a one-floor building, in the upper part, there is a moving dome with a diameter of 7 meters.

This moving dome which is the observatory dome is the home for the main telescope of the observatory. The process of observing planets and stars is done in three parts and visiting each part takes about half an hour.

Objectives of Taft observatory has many scientific and cultural objectives such as: Promoting astronomy in society, especially in Yazd, conducting researches in the field of aerospace and astronomy, doing activities in the field of astronomical tourism and etc.

The observatory of Taft Azad University owns unique scientific equipment that includes:

– 4 telescopes, which one of them is the largest telescope in Iran with a weight of 68 kg

– 2 cameras, including a binocular 20 by 80 and 15 by 70 with tripods and a green laser used for teaching objects.

– planetarium to observe clearly the stars and celestial
objects

Travel to Taft, City of Stars