The Sphinx Observatory on a mountain top in the Swiss Alps at 3,571 m (11,716 ft)
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geophysical, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed. Historically, observatories were as simple as containing an astronomical sextant (for measuring the distance between stars) or Stonehenge (which has some alignments on astronomical phenomena).
Contents
1Astronomical observatories
1.1Ground-based observatories
1.1.1Radio observatories
1.1.2Highest astronomical observatories
1.1.3Oldest astronomical observatories
1.2Space-based observatories
1.3Airborne observatories
2Volcano observatories
3See also
4References
5Further reading
6External links
Astronomical observatories
Main article: List of astronomical observatories
Astronomical observatories are mainly divided into four categories: space-based, airborne, ground-based, and underground-based.
Ground-based observatories
Atacama Large Millimeter Array, Chile, at 5,058 m (16,594 ft)[1]
Paranal Observatory, Chile, home of the VLT at 2,635 m (8,645 ft)
The Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii, home of several of the world's largest optical telescopes at 4,205 m (13,796 ft)
Ground-based observatories, located on the surface of Earth, are used to make observations in the radio and visible light portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Most optical telescopes are housed within a dome or similar structure, to protect the delicate instruments from the elements. Telescope domes have a slit or other opening in the roof that can be opened during observing, and closed when the telescope is not in use. In most cases, the entire upper portion of the telescope dome can be rotated to allow the instrument to observe different sections of the night sky. Radio telescopes usually do not have domes.
For optical telescopes, most ground-based observatories are located far from major centers of population, to avoid the effects of light pollution. The ideal locations for modern observatories are sites that have dark skies, a large percentage of clear nights per year, dry air, and are at high elevations. At high elevations, the Earth's atmosphere is thinner, thereby minimizing the effects of atmospheric turbulence and resulting in better astronomical "seeing".[2] Sites that meet the above criteria for modern observatories include the southwestern United States, Hawaii, Canary Islands, the Andes, and high mountains in Mexico such as Sierra Negra.[3] A newly emerging site which should be added to this list is Mount Gargash. With an elevation of 3600 m above sea level, it is the home to the Iranian National Observatory and its 3.4m INO340 telescope. Major optical observatories include Mauna Kea Observatory and Kitt Peak National Observatory in the US, Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and Calar Alto Observatory in Spain, and Paranal Observatory in Chile.
Specific research study performed in 2009 shows that the best possible location for ground-based observatory on Earth is Ridge A — a place in the central part of Eastern Antarctica.[4] This location provides the least atmospheric disturbances and best visibility.
Radio observatories
Beginning in 1930s, radio telescopes have been built for use in the field of radio astronomy to observe the Universe in the radio portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Such an instrument, or collection of instruments, with supporting facilities such as control centres, visitor housing, data reduction centers, and/or maintenance facilities are called radio observatories. Radio observatories are similarly located far from major population centers to avoid electromagnetic interference (EMI) from radio, TV, radar, and other EMI emitting devices, but unlike optical observatories, radio observatories can be placed in valleys for further EMI shielding. Some of the world's major radio observatories include the Socorro, in New Mexico, United States, Jodrell Bank in the UK, Arecibo in Puerto Rico, Parkes in New South Wales, Australia, and Chajnantor in Chile.
Highest astronomical observatories
Main article: List of highest astronomical observatories
Since the mid-20th century, a number of astronomical observatories have been constructed at very high altitudes, above 4,000–5,000 m (13,000–16,000 ft). The largest and most notable of these is the Mauna Kea Observatory, located near the summit of a 4,205 m (13,796 ft) volcano in Hawaiʻi. The Chacaltaya Astrophysical Observatory in Bolivia, at 5,230 m (17,160 ft), was the world's highest permanent astronomical observatory[5] from the time of its construction during the 1940s until 2009. It has now been surpassed by the new University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory,[6] an optical-infrared telescope on a remote 5,640 m (18,500 ft) mountaintop in the Atacama Desert of Chile.
Ancient Indian observatory at Delhi
"El Caracol" observatory temple at Chichen Itza, Mexico
Remains of the Maragheh observatory (under dome) at Maragheh, Iran
Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, India
The Estonian Tartu Observatory starting point of the Struve Geodetic Arc.[7][8]
19th century Observatory Sydney, Australia (1872)[9]
Ecuador's 1873-Quito Astronomical Observatory near the Equator[10][11]
The 1962-built Solar observatory on Lomnický peak in Slovakia[12][13]
Oldest astronomical observatories
The oldest proto-observatories, in the sense of a private observation post,[14]
Wurdi Youang, Australia
Zorats Karer, Karahunj, Armenia
Loughcrew, Ireland
Newgrange, Ireland
Stonehenge, Great Britain
Quito Astronomical Observatory,[10] located 12 minutes south of the Equator in Quito, Ecuador.[15]
Chankillo, Peru
El Caracol, Mexico
Abu Simbel, Egypt
Kokino, Kumanovo, Republic of Macedonia
Observatory at Rhodes, Greece[16]
Goseck circle, Germany
Ujjain, India
Arkaim, Russia
Cheomseongdae, South Korea
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The oldest true observatories, in the sense of a specialized research institute,[14][17][18] include:
1420: Ulugh Beg Observatory, Samarqand, Uzbekistan
1442: Beijing Ancient Observatory, China
1577: Constantinople Observatory of Taqi ad-Din, Turkey
1580: Uraniborg, Denmark
1581: Stjerneborg, Denmark
1642: Panzano Observatory, Italy
1642: Round Tower, Denmark
1633: Leiden Observatory, Netherlands
1667: Paris Observatory, France
1675: Royal Greenwich Observatory, England
1695: Sukharev Tower, Russia
1711: Berlin Observatory, Germany
1724: Jantar Mantar, India
1753: Stockholm Observatory, Sweden
1753: Vilnius University Observatory, Lithuania
1753: Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada, Spain[19]
1759: Trieste Observatory, Italy
1757: Macfarlane Observatory, Scotland
1759: Turin Observatory, Italy
1764: Brera Astronomical Observatory, Italy
1765: Mohr Observatory, Indonesia
1774: Vatican Observatory, Vatican
1785: Dunsink Observatory, Ireland
1786: Madras Observatory, India
1789: Armagh Observatory, Northern Ireland
1790: Royal Observatory of Madrid, Spain,[20]
1803: National Astronomical Observatory (Colombia), Bogotá, Colombia.[21]
1811: Tartu Old Observatory, Estonia[22]
1812: Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte, Naples, Italy
1830/1842: Depot of Charts & Instruments/US Naval Observatory,[23][24] USA
1830: Yale University Observatory Atheneum, USA
1838: Hopkins Observatory, Williams College, USA
1838: Loomis Observatory, Western Reserve Academy, USA
1839: Pulkovo Observatory, Russia
1839/1847: Harvard College Observatory, USA
1842: Cincinnati Observatory, USA
1844: Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory, USA
1873: Quito Astronomical Observatory, Ecuador
1884: McCormick Observatory, USA
1888: Lick Observatory, USA
1890: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, USA
1894: Lowell Observatory, USA
1897: Yerkes Observatory, USA
1899: Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, India
The Hubble Space Telescope in Earth's orbit
Space-based observatories
Main article: Space telescope
Space-based observatories are telescopes or other instruments that are located in outer space, many in orbit around the Earth. Space telescopes can be used to observe astronomical objects at wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum that cannot penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and are thus impossible to observe using ground-based telescopes. The Earth's atmosphere is opaque to ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays and is partially opaque to infrared radiation so observations in these portions of the electromagnetic spectrum are best carried out from a location above the atmosphere of our planet.[25] Another advantage of space-based telescopes is that, because of their location above the Earth's atmosphere, their images are free from the effects of atmospheric turbulence that plague ground-based observations.[26] As a result, the angular resolution of space telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope is often much smaller than a ground-based telescope with a similar aperture. However, all these advantages do come with a price. Space telescopes are much more expensive to build than ground-based telescopes. Due to their location, space telescopes are also extremely difficult to maintain. The Hubble Space Telescope was serviced by the Space Shuttle while many other space telescopes cannot be serviced at all.
SOFIA on board a Boeing 747SP
Airborne observatories
Main article: Airborne observatory
Airborne observatories have the advantage of height over ground installations, putting them above most of the Earth's atmosphere. They also have an advantage over space telescopes: The instruments can be deployed, repaired and updated much more quickly and inexpensively. The Kuiper Airborne Observatory and the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy use airplanes to observe in the infrared, which is absorbed by water vapor in the atmosphere. High-altitude balloons for X-ray astronomy have been used in a variety of countries.
Volcano observatories
Main article: Volcano observatory
A volcano observatory is an institution that conducts research and monitoring of a volcano. Among the best known are the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the Vesuvius Observatory. Mobile volcano observatories exist with the USGS VDAP (Volcano Disaster Assistance Program), to be deployed on demand.
See also
Equatorial room
Fundamental station
Ground station
List of astronomical observatories
List of observatory codes
List of telescope parts and construction
Observatory Street, Oxford, England
Science tourism
Space telescope
Telescope
Timeline of telescopes, observatories, and observing technology
Weather observatory for weather forecasting
References
^"ALMA's Solitude". Picture of the Week. ESO. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
^Chaisson, Eric; McMillan, Steve (2002). Astronomy Today, Fourth Edition. Prentice Hall. pp. 116–119.
^Chaisson, Eric; McMillan, Steve (2002). Astronomy Today, Fourth Edition. Prentice Hall. p. 119.
^Saunders, Will; Lawrence, Jon S.; Storey, John W. V.; Ashley, Michael C. B.; Kato, Seiji; Minnis, Patrick; Winker, David M.; Liu, Guiping & Kulesa, Craig (2009). "Where Is the Best Site on Earth? Domes A, B, C, and F, and Ridges A and B". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 121 (883): 976–992. arXiv:0905.4156. Bibcode:2009PASP..121..976S. doi:10.1086/605780
^Zanini, A.; Storini, M.; Saavedra, O. (2009). "Cosmic rays at High Mountain Observatories". Advances in Space Research. 44 (10): 1160–1165. Bibcode:2009AdSpR..44.1160Z. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2008.10.039.
^Yoshii, Yuzuru; et al. (August 11, 2009). "The 1m telescope at the Atacama Observatory has Started Scientific Operation, detecting the Hydrogen Emission Line from the Galactic Center in the Infrared Light". Press Release. School of Science, the University of Tokyo. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
^Taavi Tuvikene, Tartu Old Observatory, 18 February 2009
^Tartu Observatory – Official website (English version)
^Official Web Site of the Sydney Observatory
^ abOne of the Oldest Observatories in South America is the Quito Astronomical Observatory
^Official website of the Quito Astronomical Observatory
^"Slovakia's High Tatras mountains are seen from the solar observatory station on the Lomnicky Stit peak". BBC. 5 September 2014.
^A long time exposed picture taken by night shows Slovakia's High Tatras mountains seen from the Solar observatory station on the Lomnicky Stit peak 4 September 2014.
^ abMicheau, Francoise. "The Scientific Institutions in the Medieval Near East": 992–3., in Rashed, Roshdi; Morelon, Régis (1996). Encyclopedia of the History of Arabic Science. Routledge. pp. 985–1007. ISBN 978-0-415-12410-2.
^Official website Official website of the Quito Astronomical Observatory
^"Facts about Hipparchus: astronomical observatory, as discussed in astronomical observatory:". Encyclopædia Britannica.[dead link]
^Peter Barrett (2004), Science and Theology Since Copernicus: The Search for Understanding, p. 18, Continuum International Publishing Group, ISBN 0-567-08969-X
^Kennedy, Edward S. (1962). "Review: The Observatory in Islam and Its Place in the General History of the Observatory by Aydin Sayili". Isis. 53 (2): 237–239. doi:10.1086/349558.
^"Royal Institute and Observatory of the San Fernando Armada".
^"Real Observatorio de Madrid - Breve semblanza histórica". Archived from the original on 2013-07-26.
^"Observatorio Astronómico Nacional (Universidad Nacional de Colombia)".
^"On its 200th Anniversary Tartu Old Observatory Opens Doors as a Museum". www.visitestonia.com. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
^"National Park Service: Astronomy and Astrophysics (United States Naval Observatory)". Cr.nps.gov. 2001-11-05. Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
^Portolano, M. (2000). "John Quincy Adams's Rhetorical Crusade for Astronomy" (PDF). Isis. 91 (3): 480–503. doi:10.1086/384852. JSTOR 237905. PMID 11143785.
^"A Brief History of the Hubble Space Telescope: Why a Space Telescope?". NASA. Retrieved 2006-08-14.
Further reading
Aubin, David; Charlotte Bigg, and H. Otto Sibum, eds. The Heavens on Earth: Observatories and Astronomy in Nineteenth-Century Science and Culture (Duke University Press; 2010) 384 pages; Topics include astronomy as military science in Sweden, the Pulkovo Observatory in the Russia of Czar Nicholas I, and physics and the astronomical community in late 19th-century America.
Brunier, Serge, et al. Great Observatories of the World (2005)
Dick, Steven. Sky and Ocean Joined: The U.S. Naval Observatory 1830–2000 (2003)
Leverington, David. Observatories and Telescopes of Modern Times - Ground-Based Optical and Radio Astronomy Facilities since 1945. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2016, ISBN 9780521899932.
McCray, W. Patrick. Giant Telescopes: Astronomical Ambition and the Promise of Technology (2004); focuses on the Gemini Observatory.
Sage, Leslie, and Gail Aschenbrenner. A Visitor's Guide to the Kitt Peak Observatories (2004)
External links
Look up observatory in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Observatory.
Western Visayas Local Urban Observatory
Dearborn Observatory Records, Northwestern University Archives, Evanston, Illinois
Coordinates and satellite images of astronomical observatories on Earth
Milkyweb Astronomical Observatory Guide world's largest database of astronomical observatories since 2000 – about 2000 entries
List of amateur and professional observatories in North America with custom weather forecasts
Map showing many of the Astronomical Observatories around the world (with drilldown links)
Mt. Wilson Observatory
Authority control
GND: 4183154-8
LCCN: sh85093748
NDL: 00572839
English Journal
Interpretations of self-rated health in stroke survivors from a semi-rural community in South East Asia.
Yap KH, Warren N, Reidpath DD, Allotey P.
International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being. 2019 Dec;14(1)1613875.
Effects of mode of delivery on pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance in fetal circulation.
Kobayashi H, Iorio EL, Yoshino A.
The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians. 2019 Oct;32(19)3294-3299.
The role of network structure and time delay in a metapopulation Wilson--Cowan model.
Conti F, Van Gorder RA.
Journal of theoretical biology. 2019 Sep;477()1-13.
We study the dynamics of a network Wilson--Cowan model (a system of connected Wilson--Cowan oscillators) for interacting excitatory and inhibitory neuron populations with time delays. Each node in this model corresponds to a population of neurons, including excitatory and inhibitory subpopulations,
… We set the finite difference between measurement temperature and temperature published Okinawa meteorological observatory as an explained variable and set land coverage ratio of the site as explanatory variables. …