Pip Ivan (Chornohora)

Pip Ivan (Ukrainian: Піп Іван; Polish: Pop Iwan) is the third highest peak[1] (after Hoverla and Brebeneskul) in the Chornohora (Czarnohora) range, with a height of 2022 meters (6,634 ft) above sea level.

In 1936, the Ministry of Air Defense of Poland laid the first stone for the observatory's foundation on Pip Ivan.

Since in the winter there could be up to several meters of snow with temperatures falling to -40 degrees, the building even had its own heating system - for this purpose, a boiler room was equipped in the technical premises.

The thickness of the walls reaches 1.25 m; in order to help warm it, the builders added an elongated layer of material, which came from Africa.

Thanks to the astrograph, scientists were able to study large and small planets and comets, and observe and photograph various stars.

In 1939, when Chornohora became a part of the USSR, attempts were made to continue the study of the weather, but after two years, all experimental activity on Pip Ivan was stopped.

Plans also included the restoration of a stone fence that previously surrounded the observatory, in order to install solar cells on it to electrify the building.