Cambridge Observatory

Cambridge Observatory
This dome contains a 36 inch diameter reflector telescope
Organization University of Cambridge Edit this on Wikidata
Observatory code 503 Edit this on Wikidata
Location Cambridge, United Kingdom Edit this at Wikidata
Coordinates 52°12′49″N 0°05′40″E / 52.2135°N 0.0944°E / 52.2135; 0.0944Coordinates: 52°12′49″N 0°05′40″E / 52.2135°N 0.0944°E / 52.2135; 0.0944
Location of Cambridge Observatory
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This doric portico is the main entrance to the Cambridge Observatory building

Cambridge Observatory is an astronomical observatory at the University of Cambridge in the East of England. It was established in 1823[1] and is now part of the site of the Institute of Astronomy. The old Observatory building houses the Institute of Astronomy Library which has a collection of modern and historical astronomical books.[2]

There are a set of optical telescopes at the site on the Madingley Road in the west of Cambridge. By modern standards these are small, as well as being affected by light pollution. Nevertheless the 36-inch telescope continues to be used for studies of stellar radial velocities and the historic Northumberland and Thorrowgood telescopes are used as part of the public outreach activities of the Institute. Much more significant is the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, built in 1957, a few kilometres southwest.

From 1990 to 1998, the Royal Greenwich Observatory was based in Cambridge in Greenwich House, just to the north of the Observatory.

Notable Senior Observers

References

  1. ↑ Stratton, F.J.M. "The History of the Cambridge Observatories" Annals of the Solar Physics Observatory, Cambridge Vol. I (1949)
  2. ↑ Hurn, M. "An English astronomical library: the case of the Cambridge Observatory" The Observatory, Vol. 124, No. 1178, pp. 37-46 (2004)
  3. ↑ Brück, H. A. (1979). "Hugh Ernest Butler, 1916 December 27 - 1978 May 10". Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. 20: 221. Bibcode:1979QJRAS..20..221B.


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