Contrary to the romantic image, for a long time, observatories were created not only to study stars, but also to solve practical military tasks. Today, with the development of more powerful ground and orbital telescopes, old observatories around the world are losing their importance.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the scientific infrastructure in the post-Soviet countries found itself in a crisis, and the Abastumani Observatory was no exception. In the 1990s, Georgia experienced civil conflicts, economic collapse and general disintegration of the institutions, which led to the decline of scientific organisations.

Despite this, enthusiasts devoted to astronomy have continued to work in Abastumani. During the Soviet times, around 300 families lived here, there was a school, a library, shops, and a gas station. Nowadays, only 15 families remain. There is almost no turnover among those who work here. One of the employees says: "Astronomers die next to their telescopes."