BELISSIMA was a FP7 (Seventh Framework Programme) project led by the Observatory. The main goal of the BELISSIMA project was to build the “Milutin Milanković” telescope on Mount Vidojevica near Prokuplje, within the existing AS Vidojevica.
BELISSIMA was a FP7 (Seventh Framework Programme) project led by the Observatory. The three-year project, which began on July 1, 2010, was funded by the European Commission through the FP7 REGPOT call and was extended for two years until June 30, 2015. This was the largest and most ambitious project within the Observatory, for which financial resources were obtained from the European Commission and the Ministry of Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia. The main goal of the BELISSIMA project was to build the “Milutin Milanković” telescope on Mount Vidojevica near Prokuplje, within the existing AS Vidojevica. The “Milutin Milanković” telescope is our most modern robotic optical telescope, with a primary mirror with the diameter of 1.4 m. The BELISSIMA project was of great significance for Serbia. BELISSIMA has created conditions for the return of our experts who have been trained abroad. By installing the Milanković telescope, Serbia opened the door to technologies that have not existed in our region so far in the field of astronomy, optics, informatics, electronics, and automation. The BELISSIMA project also has a significant role in the popularization of science. Astronomy is a very attractive science and has an exceptional impact on people of all generations, and the “Milutin Milanković” telescope will become a unique beacon of science popularization in the region. The employment of experienced researchers, returnees from abroad, financed by the European Commission, has led to improvements in the research capacity of the Observatory. The BELISSIMA project has strengthened and established new links with regional partners from the Western Balkans, as well as leading European scientific institutions, and included our country in the European Research Area (ERA) scientific research program.
