.jpg) Observatory andbotanical garden in Strasbourg | |
| Alternative names | OAS |
|---|---|
| Organization | University of Strasbourg |
| Observatory code | 522 |
| Location | Strasbourg,France |
| Coordinates | 48°35′0″N7°46′5″E / 48.58333°N 7.76806°E /48.58333; 7.76806 |
| Altitude | 142 m |
| Established | 1881 |
| Website | astro.u-strasbg.fr |
  Observatory of Strasbourg Location in Strasbourg | |
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TheObservatory of Strasbourg is an astronomicalobservatory inStrasbourg,France.
This observatory is actually Strasbourg's third observatory: the first was built in 1673 on one of the city's surrounding towers (the astronomer Julius Reichelt notably played a role in its establishment), and the second in 1828 on the roof of the buildings of the Academy.[1]
Following theFranco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, the city of Strasbourg became part of theGerman Empire. TheUniversity of Strasbourg was refounded in 1872, and a new observatory began construction in 1875, in theNeustadt district. The main instrument was a 50 cmRepsold refractor, which sawfirst light in 1880 (seeGreat refractor). At the time this was the largest instrument in the German Empire. In 1881, the ninth General Assembly of theAstronomische Gesellschaft met in Strasbourg to mark the official inauguration.[2][3]
The observatory site was selected primarily for instruction purposes and political symbolism, rather than the observational qualities. It was a low-lying site that was prone to mists. During the period up until 1914, the staff was too small to work the instruments and so there was little academic research published prior toWorld War I. The main observations were ofcomets andvariable stars. After 1909, the instruments were also used to observebinary stars and perform photometry ofnebulae.[4]
The observatory is currently the home for theCentre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg, a database for the collection and distribution of astronomical information. This includesSIMBAD, a reference database for astronomical objects,VizieR, anastronomical catalogue service andAladin, an interactive sky atlas. The modern extension of the building used to house thePlanétarium de Strasbourg until 2023, and the opening of a larger and more modernplanetarium in the vicinity. The observatory is surrounded by theJardin botanique de l'Université de Strasbourg.In the vaulted basement below the observatory, a university-administered museum is located. CalledCrypte aux étoiles ("starcrypt"), it displays old telescopes and other antique astronomical devices such as clocks andtheodolites.
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