Milan Stojanovic

The Astronomical Observatory in Belgrade, established on April 7, 1887, is Serbia's oldest scientific institute dedicated to professional astronomical research. It stands as one of the oldest active scientific institutions in Southeastern Europe and is the largest astronomical institution in the Western Balkans. Notable figures in its history include Milan Nedeljković, the first director, and Dr. Milutin Milanković, a prominent scientist who led the observatory in 1951. Since May 2023, Prof. Dr. Luka Č. Popović has served as its director. The observatory's research encompasses various fields such as stellar and solar astrophysics, astrophysical spectroscopy, galactic systems, interstellar matter, dynamic astronomy, planetology, and the history and philosophy of astronomy. It also operates the Astronomical Station Vidojevica near Prokuplje, facilitating remote observations. Beyond research, the observatory contributes to education through postgraduate courses and practical training in collaboration with the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Belgrade. It participates in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master program in Astrophysics and Space Science alongside universities in Rome, Nice, and Bremen. The observatory houses Serbia's most comprehensive astronomical library. Its operations are overseen by a Director and Steering Committee, with funding from the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovations of the Republic of Serbia.