Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Astrophysics Research Center (ÇARC) and Ulupınar Observatory (UPO) has been established in 2001 and formally opened on 19 May 2002. The Center and Observatory is located at 410 m altitude from the sea level on the southern hill of the "Radar Peak" being 10 km from downtown Çanakkale near the village called Ulupınar.

      A general aim of the Center is to plan and conduct of activities in the field of Astrophysics.

      Specialities of the members of the Center are Active Binaries, Solar Physics, X-Ray Binaries and Gamma Ray Bursts, Cosmology, General Realtivity, Mathematical Physics and Plasma Physics.

      The activities can be summarized under 3 headings;

      1) National and International research projects in Astrophysics.

      2) Education and traning of students, young astronomers and astrophysicists.

      3) Popular activities such as to inform new celestial events to the public or to improve the scientific understanding of students and visitors by public nights and routine observations.

      There are 3 computer-controlled optical telescopes with several other instruments. There is also an automated meteorological station fully active at the observatory.

      The Center premises include, a library, a workshop, a classroom, a conferance hall and living quarters for night observing astronomers.

Longitude     :  1h 45m 54s E
Latitude        :  40° 06' 01'' N
Altitude :  410 m