From the 17th to the 20th of May 2010, an international workshop, " Tools and instruments in Astronomy: From the first ground-based telescope to the space instrument." was held at the Research Institute "Nikolaev Astronomical Observatory” (NAO Research Institute).

More than 50 experts from institutions and astronomical observatories of Ukraine, Russia, Denmark, France, Turkey and China were at the workshop. Among the participants were 7 doctors, 23 PhD and 13 young scientists.
The opening of the workshop started at 9 a.m. on 18 May, 2010 in the Nikolaev
Astronomical Observatory. At the beginning of the workshop the co-chairs of the Scientific Organizing Committee Gennady Pinigin and William Tuyllo (France) addressed with a complimentary speech to participants and guests of the meeting. The head of the Ukrainian National Committee for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Irina Vavilova gave a diploma to Ukrainian Astronomical Association Observatory staff for their active participation in the IYA2009.
The Mayor Vladimir Chaika was awarded with a diploma of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and a medal from the NAS. After, the memorial in honor of the first director Carl Kristoforovicha Knorre (architect Victor Makushin) was opened. The representatives of regional and city authorities, public education, scientific and cultural community of Nikolaev were invited.
Subject of the workshop was devoted to the study of kinematics and dynamics of the Solar system bodies and Near-Earth space, as well as new methods of astronomical research which are connected with the creation of the Virtual observatory. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss the programs of international cooperation in scientific achievements, as well as coordination of efforts to establish the Ukrainian National Virtual Observatory.
During the past three days, 20 oral presentations and 30 poster presentations were formulated in three sections: "Body of the Solar System," "Observation of near-Earth space" and "Tools of virtual observatory for astronomical research" were listened to and discussed. Within the workshop several meetings which had been arranged with representatives of Russia, Turkey, France and China were working on key issues for further cooperation, and for the signing of the workshop’s 4 protocols.