Observatory

Last updated
The Sphinx Observatory on a mountain top in the Swiss Alps at 3,571 m (11,716 ft) Sphinx Observatory.jpg
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, marine, or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geophysics, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed. [1]

Contents

The term observatoire has been used in French since at least 1976 to denote any institution that compiles and presents data on a particular subject (such as public health observatory) or for a particular geographic area (European Audiovisual Observatory).

Astronomical observatories

Astronomical observatories are mainly divided into four categories: space-based, airborne, ground-based, and underground-based. Historically, ground-based observatories were as simple as containing an astronomical sextant (for measuring the distance between stars) or Stonehenge (which has some alignments on astronomical phenomena).

Ground-based observatories

ALMA's Solitude01.jpg
Atacama Large Millimeter Array, Chile, at 5,058 m (16,594 ft) [2]
20041225-Paranal.jpg
Paranal Observatory, Chile, home of the VLT at 2,635 m (8,645 ft)
Mauna Kea observatory.jpg
The Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii, home of several of the world's largest optical telescopes at 4,205 m (13,796 ft)
Haleakala Observatory Maui (45015823284).jpg
Haleakala Observatory at 3,036 m (9,961 ft), Maui, Hawaii

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.[ citation needed ]

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". [3] 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. [4] Major optical observatories include Mauna Kea Observatory and Kitt Peak National Observatory in the US, Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in Spain, and Paranal Observatory and Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. [5] [6]

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. [7] This location provides the least atmospheric disturbances and best visibility.[ citation needed ]

Solar observatories

Radio observatories

Beginning in 1933, 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 Very Large Array in New Mexico, United States, Jodrell Bank in the UK, Arecibo in Puerto Rico, Parkes in New South Wales, Australia, and Chajnantor in Chile. A related discipline is Very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI).[ citation needed ]

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 [8] from the time of its construction during the 1940s until 2009. It has now been surpassed by the new University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory, [9] an optical-infrared telescope on a remote 5,640 m (18,500 ft) mountaintop in the Atacama Desert of Chile.

Daniells1808a.jpg
Ancient Indian observatory at Delhi
Chichen Itza Observatory 2 1.jpg
"El Caracol" observatory temple at Chichen Itza, Mexico
Maragheh observatory 2.JPG
Remains of the Maragheh observatory (under dome) at Maragheh, Iran
Jantar Mantar at Jaipur.jpg
Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, India
Tartu asv2022-04 img06 Old Observatory.jpg
The Estonian Tartu Observatory starting point of the Struve Geodetic Arc [10] [11]
SLNSW 479519 16 Observatory SH 198.jpg
19th century Observatory Sydney, Australia (1872) [12]
Quito Observatory.JPG
Ecuador's 1873-Quito Astronomical Observatory near the Equator [13] [14]
Observatorium Lomnicky stit 1.jpg
The 1962-built Solar observatory on Lomnický peak in Slovakia [15] [16]
Griffith observatory 2006.jpg
Griffith Observatory in September 2006 in Los Angeles, California

Oldest astronomical observatories

The oldest proto-observatories, in the sense of an observation post for astronomy, [17]

The oldest true observatories, in the sense of a specialized research institute, [17] [19] [20] include:

Space-based observatories

The Hubble Space Telescope in Earth's orbit Hubble Space Telescope (27946391011).jpg
The Hubble Space Telescope in Earth's orbit

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. [28] 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. [29] 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 able to be serviced by the Space Shuttles while many other space telescopes cannot be serviced at all.

Airborne observatories

SOFIA on board a Boeing 747SP SOFIA with open telescope doors.jpg
SOFIA on board a Boeing 747SP

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.[ citation needed ]

Neutrino observatories

Example underground, underwater or under ice neutrino observatories include:

Meteorological observatories

Example meteorological observatories include:

See also


Marine observatories

A marine observatory is a scientific institution whose main task is to make observations in the fields of meteorology, geomagnetism and tides that are important for the navy and civil shipping. An astronomical observatory is usually also attached. Some of these observatories also deal with nautical weather forecasts and storm warnings, astronomical time services, nautical calendars and seismology.

Example marine observatories include:

See also

Magnetic observatories

A magnetic observatory is a facility which precisely measures the total intensity of Earth's magnetic field for field strength and direction at standard intervals. Geomagnetic observatories are most useful when located away from human activities to avoid disturbances of anthropogenic origin, and the observation data is collected at a fixed location continuously for decades. Magnetic observations are aggregated, processed, quality checked and made public through data centers such as INTERMAGNET. [30] [31]

The types of measuring equipment at an observatory may include magnetometers (torsion, declination-inclination fluxgate, proton precession, Overhauser-effect), variometer (3-component vector, total-field scalar), dip circle, inclinometer, earth inductor, theodolite, self-recording magnetograph, magnetic declinometer, azimuth compass. Once a week at the absolute reference point calibration measurements are performed. [32]

Example magnetic observatories include:

Seismic observatories

Example seismic observation projects and observatories include:

Geodetic observatories

Cosmic-ray observatories

Gravitational wave observatories

Example gravitational wave observatories include:

Wildlife observatories

Volcano observatories

A volcano observatory is an institution that conducts the monitoring of a volcano as well as research in order to understand the potential impacts of active volcanism. 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. Each volcano observatory has a geographic area of responsibility it is assigned to whereby the observatory is tasked with spreading activity forecasts, analyzing potential volcanic activity threats and cooperating with communities in preparation for volcanic eruption. [33]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of space science</span> Overview of and topical guide to space science

The following outline is provided as an overview and topical guide to space science:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space telescope</span> Instrument in space to study astronomical objects

A space telescope is a telescope in outer space used to observe astronomical objects. Suggested by Lyman Spitzer in 1946, the first operational telescopes were the American Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, OAO-2 launched in 1968, and the Soviet Orion 1 ultraviolet telescope aboard space station Salyut 1 in 1971. Space telescopes avoid several problems caused by the atmosphere, including the absorption or scattering of certain wavelengths of light, obstruction by clouds, and distortions due to atmospheric refraction such as twinkling. Space telescopes can also observe dim objects during the daytime, and they avoid light pollution which ground-based observatories encounter. They are divided into two types: Satellites which map the entire sky, and satellites which focus on selected astronomical objects or parts of the sky and beyond. Space telescopes are distinct from Earth imaging satellites, which point toward Earth for satellite imaging, applied for weather analysis, espionage, and other types of information gathering.

Infrared astronomy is a sub-discipline of astronomy which specializes in the observation and analysis of astronomical objects using infrared (IR) radiation. The wavelength of infrared light ranges from 0.75 to 300 micrometers, and falls in between visible radiation, which ranges from 380 to 750 nanometers, and submillimeter waves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astrophysics</span> Subfield of astronomy

Astrophysics is a science that employs the methods and principles of physics and chemistry in the study of astronomical objects and phenomena. As one of the founders of the discipline, James Keeler, said, astrophysics "seeks to ascertain the nature of the heavenly bodies, rather than their positions or motions in space–what they are, rather than where they are", which is studied in celestial mechanics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Observational astronomy</span> Division of astronomy

Observational astronomy is a division of astronomy that is concerned with recording data about the observable universe, in contrast with theoretical astronomy, which is mainly concerned with calculating the measurable implications of physical models. It is the practice and study of observing celestial objects with the use of telescopes and other astronomical instruments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Observatories program</span> Series of NASA satellites

NASA's series of Great Observatories satellites are four large, powerful space-based astronomical telescopes launched between 1990 and 2003. They were built with different technology to examine specific wavelength/energy regions of the electromagnetic spectrum: gamma rays, X-rays, visible and ultraviolet light, and infrared light.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haleakalā Observatory</span> Astronomical observatory on Maui Island, Hawaii, USA

The Haleakalā Observatory, also known as the Haleakalā High Altitude Observatory Site, is Hawaii's first astronomical research observatory. It is located on the island of Maui and is owned by the Institute for Astronomy of the University of Hawaiʻi, which operates some of the facilities on the site and leases portions to other organizations. Tenants include the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network (LCOGTN). At over 3,050 meters (10,010 ft) in elevation, the summit of Haleakalā is above one third of the Earth's troposphere and has excellent astronomical seeing conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Submillimetre astronomy</span> Astronomy with terahertz (< 1 mm)-range light

Submillimetre astronomy or submillimeter astronomy is the branch of observational astronomy that is conducted at submillimetre wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. Astronomers place the submillimetre waveband between the far-infrared and microwave wavebands, typically taken to be between a few hundred micrometres and a millimetre. It is still common in submillimetre astronomy to quote wavelengths in 'microns', the old name for micrometre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard B. Dunn Solar Telescope</span> Optical telescope dedicated to observing the Sun

The Dunn Solar Telescope, also known as the Richard B. Dunn Solar Telescope, is a unique vertical-axis solar telescope that specializes in high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy. It is located at Sacramento Peak in Sunspot, New Mexico. It is the main telescope at the Sunspot Solar Observatory, operated by New Mexico State University in partnership with the National Solar Observatory through funding from the National Science Foundation, the state of New Mexico, and private funds from other partners. The Dunn Solar Telescope helps astrophysicists worldwide better understand the Sun and how it affects Earth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar telescope</span> Telescope used to observe the Sun

A solar telescope or a solar observatory is a special-purpose telescope used to observe the Sun. Solar telescopes usually detect light with wavelengths in, or not far outside, the visible spectrum. Obsolete names for Sun telescopes include heliograph and photoheliograph.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telescope</span> Instrument that makes distant objects appear magnified

A telescope is a device used to observe distant objects by their emission, absorption, or reflection of electromagnetic radiation. Originally, it was an optical instrument using lenses, curved mirrors, or a combination of both to observe distant objects – an optical telescope. Nowadays, the word "telescope" is defined as a wide range of instruments capable of detecting different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, and in some cases other types of detectors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infrared telescope</span> Telescope that uses infrared light

An infrared telescope is a telescope that uses infrared light to detect celestial bodies. Infrared light is one of several types of radiation present in the electromagnetic spectrum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atmospheric window</span> Range of EM wavelengths that can pass through Earths atmosphere

An atmospheric window is a region of the electromagnetic spectrum that can pass through the atmosphere of Earth. The optical, infrared and radio windows comprise the three main atmospheric windows. The windows provide direct channels for Earth's surface to receive electromagnetic energy from the Sun, and for thermal radiation from the surface to leave to space. Atmospheric windows are useful for astronomy, remote sensing, telecommunications and other science and technology applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gamma-ray astronomy</span> Observational astronomy performed with gamma rays

Gamma-ray astronomy is a subfield of astronomy where scientists observe and study celestial objects and phenomena in outer space which emit cosmic electromagnetic radiation in the form of gamma rays, i.e. photons with the highest energies at the very shortest wavelengths. Radiation below 100 keV is classified as X-rays and is the subject of X-ray astronomy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory</span> Observatory

The University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO) is an astronomical observatory located on the summit of Cerro Chajnantor, at an altitude of 5,640 m (18,500 ft) within a lava dome in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The site is located less than 5 km (3.1 mi) north-northeast of the Llano de Chajnantor Observatory, where the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) is located, but is over 580 m (1,900 ft) higher in elevation. It is also 28 m (92 ft) higher than the site proposed for the Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope on the same peak. The observatory is operated by the Graduate School of Science and Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo. Operation began in 2024.

The Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental (IATE) is a scientific institute funded by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones en Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), located in the city of Córdoba, Argentina, and dedicated to the study of different topics in astronomy. The headquarters of the institute are located at the Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba.

References

  1. ↑ Udías, Agustín (2003) Searching the Heavens and the Earth Kluwer Academic Publishers p3
  2. ↑ "ALMA's Solitude". Picture of the Week. ESO. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  3. ↑ Chaisson, Eric; McMillan, Steve (2002). Astronomy Today, Fourth Edition. Prentice Hall. pp. 116–119.
  4. ↑ Chaisson, Eric; McMillan, Steve (2002). Astronomy Today, Fourth Edition. Prentice Hall. p. 119.
  5. ↑ Leverington, David (2017) Observatories and Telescopes of Modern Times Cambridge Univ Press ISBN   9780521899932
  6. ↑ Meszaros, Stephen Paul (1986) World Atlas of Large Optical Telescopes NASA TM 87775 p2
  7. ↑ 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. S2CID   11166739.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  10. ↑ Taavi Tuvikene, Tartu Old Observatory, 18 February 2009
  11. ↑ Tartu Observatory – Official website (English version)
  12. ↑ Official Web Site of the Sydney Observatory
  13. ↑ "One of the Oldest Observatories in South America is the Quito Astronomical Observatory". Archived from the original on 2012-01-18. Retrieved 2015-01-05.
  14. ↑ Official website of the Quito Astronomical Observatory
  15. ↑ "Slovakia's High Tatras mountains are seen from the solar observatory station on the Lomnicky Stit peak". BBC. 5 September 2014.
  16. ↑ 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 Archived 2017-10-16 at the Wayback Machine 4 September 2014.
  17. 1 2 Micheau, Francoise (1996). "The Scientific Institutions in the Medieval Near East". Encyclopedia of the History of Arabic Science. By Rashed, Roshdi; Morelon, Régis. Routledge. pp. 992–3. ISBN   978-0-415-12410-2.
  18. ↑ "Facts about Hipparchus: astronomical observatory, as discussed in astronomical observatory:". Encyclopædia Britannica.[ dead link ]
  19. ↑ Peter Barrett (2004), Science and Theology Since Copernicus: The Search for Understanding, p. 18, Continuum International Publishing Group, ISBN   0-567-08969-X
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ "Royal Institute and Observatory of the San Fernando Armada". Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  22. ↑ "Real Observatorio de Madrid - Breve semblanza histórica". Archived from the original on 2013-07-26.
  23. ↑ "Observatorio Astronómico Nacional (Universidad Nacional de Colombia)". Archived from the original on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2019-08-24.
  24. ↑ "On its 200th Anniversary Tartu Old Observatory Opens Doors as a Museum". Visit Estonia. 26 April 2011. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  25. ↑ "Astronomy and Astrophysics (United States Naval Observatory)". Heritage Preservation Services, National Park Service. 2001-11-05. Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  26. ↑ Portolano, M. (2000). "John Quincy Adams's Rhetorical Crusade for Astronomy". Isis. 91 (3): 480–503. doi:10.1086/384852. JSTOR   237905. PMID   11143785. S2CID   25585014 – via Zenodo.
  27. ↑ History of astronomy at University of Helsinki 1834–1984 (in Finnish)
  28. ↑ Chaisson, Eric; McMillan, Steve (2002). Astronomy Today, Fourth Edition. Prentice Hall.
  29. ↑ "A Brief History of the Hubble Space Telescope: Why a Space Telescope?". NASA. Retrieved 2006-08-14.
  30. ↑ Gupta, Harsh (ed) (2021) Encyclopedia of Solid Earth Geophysics Springer ISBN   9783030586300 p774
  31. ↑ Principal Facts of the Earth's Magnetism U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1919 pp57-59
  32. ↑ Jankowski, J. and Sucksdorff, C. (1996) IAGA Guide for Magnetic Measurements and Observatory Practice ISBN   0965068625
  33. ↑ "USGS operates five U.S. Volcano Observatories". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 8 February 2021.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.