Astronomical observatories Observatory

1 astronomical observatories

1.1 ground-based observatories

1.1.1 radio observatories
1.1.2 highest astronomical observatories
1.1.3 oldest astronomical observatories


1.2 space-based observatories
1.3 airborne observatories

astronomical observatories

astronomical observatories divided 4 categories: space-based, airborne, ground-based, , underground-based.

ground-based observatories

ground-based observatories, located on surface of earth, used make observations in radio , visible light portions of electromagnetic spectrum. optical telescopes housed within dome or similar structure, protect delicate instruments elements. telescope domes have slit or other opening in roof can opened during observing, , closed when telescope not in use. in cases, entire upper portion of telescope dome can rotated allow instrument observe different sections of night sky. radio telescopes not have domes.

for optical telescopes, ground-based observatories located far major centers of population, avoid effects of light pollution. ideal locations modern observatories sites have dark skies, large percentage of clear nights per year, dry air, , @ high elevations. @ high elevations, earth s atmosphere thinner, thereby minimizing effects of atmospheric turbulence , resulting in better astronomical seeing . sites meet above criteria modern observatories include southwestern united states, hawaii, canary islands, andes, , high mountains in mexico such sierra negra. major optical observatories include mauna kea observatory , kitt peak national observatory in usa, roque de los muchachos observatory in spain, , paranal observatory in chile.

specific research study performed in 2009 shows best possible location ground-based observatory on earth ridge a — place in central part of eastern antarctica. location provides least atmospheric disturbances , best visibility.

radio observatories

beginning in 1930s, radio telescopes have been built use in field of radio astronomy observe universe in radio portion of electromagnetic spectrum. such instrument, or collection of instruments, supporting facilities such control centres, visitor housing, data reduction centers, and/or maintenance facilities called radio observatories. radio observatories located far major population centers avoid electromagnetic interference (emi) radio, tv, radar, , other emi emitting devices, unlike optical observatories, radio observatories can placed in valleys further emi shielding. of world s major radio observatories include socorro, in new mexico, united states, jodrell bank in uk, arecibo in puerto rico, parkes in new south wales, australia, , chajnantor in chile.

highest astronomical observatories

since mid-20th century, number of astronomical observatories have been constructed @ high altitudes, above 4,000–5,000 m (13,000–16,000 ft). largest , notable of these mauna kea observatory, located near summit of 4,205 m (13,796 ft) volcano in hawaiʻi. chacaltaya astrophysical observatory in bolivia, @ 5,230 m (17,160 ft), world s highest permanent astronomical observatory time of construction during 1940s until 2009. has been surpassed new university of tokyo atacama observatory, optical-infrared telescope on remote 5,640 m (18,500 ft) mountaintop in atacama desert of chile.

oldest astronomical observatories

the oldest proto-observatories, in sense of private observation post,

zorats karer, karahunj, armenia
stonehenge, great britain
quito astronomical observatory, located 12 minutes south of equator in quito, ecuador.
chankillo, peru
el caracol, mexico
abu simbel, egypt
kokino, kumanovo, republic of macedonia
observatory @ rhodes, greece
goseck circle, germany
ujjain, india
arkaim, russia
cheomseongdae, south korea
angkor wat, cambodia

the oldest true observatories, in sense of specialized research institute, include:

825 ad: al-shammisiyyah observatory, baghdad, iraq
869: mahodayapuram observatory, kerala, india
1259: maragheh observatory, azerbaijan, iran
1276: gaocheng astronomical observatory, china
1420: ulugh beg observatory, samarqand, uzbekistan
1442: beijing ancient observatory, china
1577: istanbul observatory of taqi al-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: navy royal institute , observatory, spain
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: real observatorio de madrid, spain,
1803: national astronomical observatory (colombia), bogotá, colombia.
1811: tartu old observatory, estonia
1812: astronomical observatory of capodimonte, naples, italy
1830/1842: depot of charts & instruments/us naval observatory, 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
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

space-based observatories telescopes or other instruments located in outer space, many in orbit around earth. space telescopes can used observe astronomical objects @ wavelengths of electromagnetic spectrum cannot penetrate earth s atmosphere , impossible observe using ground-based telescopes. earth s atmosphere opaque ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, , gamma rays , partially opaque infrared radiation observations in these portions of electromagnetic spectrum best carried out location above atmosphere of our planet. advantage of space-based telescopes that, because of location above earth s atmosphere, images free effects of atmospheric turbulence plague ground-based observations. result, angular resolution of space telescopes such hubble space telescope smaller ground-based telescope similar aperture. however, these advantages come price. space telescopes more expensive build ground-based telescopes. due location, space telescopes extremely difficult maintain. hubble space telescope serviced space shuttle while many other space telescopes cannot serviced @ all.

sofia on board boeing 747sp


airborne observatories

airborne observatories have advantage of height on ground installations, putting them above of earth s atmosphere. have advantage on space telescopes: instruments can deployed, repaired , updated more , inexpensively. kuiper airborne observatory , stratospheric observatory infrared astronomy use airplanes observe in infrared, absorbed water vapor in atmosphere. high-altitude balloons x-ray astronomy have been used in variety of countries.