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Isfahan Observatory
The Isfahan Observatory (Malikshah Observatory) was an astronomical observatory that was built in Isfahan (in modern Iran) in the 11th Century under Sultan of the Great Seljuq Empire (Malik-Shah I) by one of the most famous scientist back in the day, Omar Khayyám. From this observatory, Omar Khayyám and other scientists formulated the Persian Solar Calendar, a modernized version of which is still in use in Iran today. There were no evidences indicate the purpose of the construction to-date.

History
In 1073, Omar Khayyám was invited by Malik-Shah I to build an observatory at Isfahan and reform the Persian calendar. There was a panel of eight scholars working under the direction of Khayyam to make large-scale astronomical observations and revise the astronomical tables. Recalibrating the calendar fixed the first day of the year at the exact moment of the passing of the Sun's center across vernal equinox. The observatory itself was disused after the death of Malik-Shah in 1092.

Location
There were no exact prediction of where the observatory was located, but many modern scientists believed it was located near Isfahan.

Maliki Calendar
Approximately 18 years of directing the observatory, Khayyam led the scientists and produced work of outstanding quality. It was a period of peace during which the political situation allowed Khayyam the opportunity to devote himself entirely to his scholarly work. During this time, Khayyam led work on compiling astronomical tables and he also contributed to calendar reform in 1079. Khayyam measured the length of the year as 365.24219858156 days. This shows an incredible confidence to attempt to give the result to this degree of accuracy, and it is amazingly accurate. We know now that the length of the year is changing in the sixth decimal place over a person's lifetime. The length of the year in 1900 was 365.242196 days, while in 2000 it was 365.242190 days.

The decline of the observatory
In 1092 political events ended Khayyam's period of peaceful existence. Funding to run the Observatory ceased and Khayyam's calendar reform was put on hold. Khayyam also came under attack from the orthodox Muslims who felt that Khayyam's questioning mind did not conform to the faith. Despite being out of favour on all sides, Khayyam remained at the Court and tried to regain favour. He wrote a work in which he described former rulers in Iran as men of great honour who had supported public works, science and scholarship. Another empire rose in 1118, this time with Merv, Turkmenistan as its capital. The shah created a great center of Islamic learning in Merv where Khayyam wrote further works on mathematics.

Modern day
The footprint of the observatory in still remain in what is now Iran and became one of the most attraction for tourism. Although it could not retain the details of a magnificent construction of the 11th century due to ages and weather conditions, the Iranian government is trying to preserve what has left and encourage younger generations to take actions to protect the wonder of the nation.