Royal Observatory of Madrid

The Royal Observatory of Madrid is a historic observatory situated on a small hill next to the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain. It was completed in 1790 and took over some of the work previously done by the naval observatory on the south coast.

Royal Observatory
Native name
Spanish: Real Observatorio de Madrid
LocationMadrid, Spain
Governing bodyInstituto Geográfico Nacional (Spain)
Official name: Real Observatorio de Madrid
TypeNon-movable
CriteriaMonument
Designated1995
Reference no.RI-51-0009078
Location of Royal Observatory in Spain

It is the seat of the Spanish National Astronomical Observatory and the Observatorio Geofísico Central, both administered by the National Geographic Institute (via its department of Astronomía, Geofísica y Aplicaciones Espaciales).[1]

Architecture

The observatory was designed by Juan de Villanueva, architect to Charles III of Spain, It represents one of the highlights of Spanish neoclassical architecture. Its domed lantern was conceived as a classical circular temple.

Equipment

Shortly after construction, the observatory was equipped with a 25-foot reflecting telescope by William Herschel. The instrument was dismantled in the Peninsular War and only partially survived. It has been reconstructed in recent years.

Current use

Madrid is affected by light pollution and is not a good location for optical astronomy. Conditions are much better in other parts of Spanish territory, notably the Canary Islands, the second-best location for optical and infrared astronomy in the Northern Hemisphere, after Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii.

The observatory can be viewed by prior arrangement. The historic scientific equipment on display includes the reconstructed Hershel Telescope. The visit also takes in the library which is housed in the Villanueva building.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Visitas al Real Observatorio" [Visits to the Royal Observatory]. Instituto Geográfico Nacional (www.ign.es) (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 August 2016.

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