Astronomic Observatories Collection

Meridian Circle in the Paris Observatory, an instrument used to measure the transit of stars
693684 Meridian Circle in the Paris Observatory, an instrument used to measure the transit of stars, from 'El Museo Popular' publ. 1889 (print) by Spanish School, (19th century).

Tea-House and Fire-Station observatory at Shimono-Suwa near Lake Suwa on the Nakasendo Road (b/w photo)
8625218 Tea-House and Fire-Station observatory at Shimono-Suwa near Lake Suwa on the Nakasendo Road (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Benares, India, c.1910 (print)
7293199 Benares, India, c.1910 (print); (add.info.: Geography. India. Raja Jey Singh Observatory on the banks of river Ganges, Benares. Postcard, India, ca 1910.); Photo: © Archives Charmet

Lord Rosse's Great Reflecting Telescope, at Parsonstown, Ireland, 1853 (cotton, brass)
7340081 Lord Rosse's Great Reflecting Telescope, at Parsonstown, Ireland, 1853 (cotton, brass) by British School, (19th century); 118.3x89.2 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Transit-Circle Apartment (engraving)
8629577 Transit-Circle Apartment (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Transit-Circle Apartment)

Court of the Observatory (engraving)
8629578 Court of the Observatory (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Court of the Observatory)

Oxford: The Observatory (engraving)
8675425 Oxford: The Observatory (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Observatory)

Jantar Mantar observatory (photo)
3731966 Jantar Mantar observatory (photo); (add.info.: Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, India, consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments)

Female American mathematician and astronomer at work, at the Paris Observatory, 1850
3478832 Female American mathematician and astronomer at work, at the Paris Observatory, 1850; (add.info.: Miss Klumpke an American mathematician and astronomer at work on the Carte du Ciel)

Paris Observatory in 1868, 1868
3478833 Paris Observatory in 1868, 1868; (add.info.: Using a small refractor to observe Mercury, Venus and Jupiter from the roof of the Paris Observatory in 1868)

15th century observatory, Peking, China. (print)
7420006 15th century observatory, Peking, China. (print); (add.info.: The observatory in Peking, China, built in 1442 during the Ming Dynasty)

Martha's Vineyard: View Northwest from the Observatory, Samoset Avenue (b/w photo)
8640629 Martha's Vineyard: View Northwest from the Observatory, Samoset Avenue (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Martha's Vineyard: Sea View Avenue and View South, from the Observatory (b/w photo)
8640621 Martha's Vineyard: Sea View Avenue and View South, from the Observatory (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Martha's Vineyard: Cottage City, Ocean Park and the Highlands, from the Observatory (b/w photo)
8640617 Martha's Vineyard: Cottage City, Ocean Park and the Highlands, from the Observatory (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cottage City)

Sydney: The Observatory (b/w photo)
8644649 Sydney: The Observatory (b/w photo) by Australian Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Observatory)

Windmill near Fort Phillip, The Present Site of the Observatory (engraving)
8651228 Windmill near Fort Phillip, The Present Site of the Observatory (engraving) by Australian School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Windmill near Fort Phillip)

Part of a southern hemisphere star chart from Reiner Ottens's Atlas Maior (1730)
7339165 Part of a southern hemisphere star chart from Reiner Ottens's Atlas Maior (1730), with the Greenwich Observatory (left) and the Round Tower observatory in Copenhagen (right)

Page of London views, 1835 (engraving)
8663304 Page of London views, 1835 (engraving) by Shepherd, Thomas Hosmer (1792-1864) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Martha's Vineyard: Cottage City, View West from the Observatory (b/w photo)
8640634 Martha's Vineyard: Cottage City, View West from the Observatory (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cottage City)

Three figures using astronomical equipment in the Great Star Room or the Octagon Room, as it is known today
7342715 Three figures using astronomical equipment in the Great Star Room or the Octagon Room, as it is known today, at the Royal Observatory

Greenwich from the Point, c.1820 (watercolour)
7342007 Greenwich from the Point, c.1820 (watercolour) by Heriot, George (1766-1844); 29.4x41.8 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Scotland: The Observatory, Summit of Ben Nevis (b/w photo)
8654599 Scotland: The Observatory, Summit of Ben Nevis (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Observatory, Summit of Ben Nevis)

The Royal Observatory looking downhill, 1872 (watercolour)
7340803 The Royal Observatory looking downhill, 1872 (watercolour) by Airy, Christabel (1842-1917); 46x69 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

A view of the Observatory in Greenwich Park...[and] A view of Deptford and London taken from Flamsteed Hill in
7341615 A view of the Observatory in Greenwich Park...[and] A view of Deptford and London taken from Flamsteed Hill in Greenwich Park, c.1750 (engraving) by British School

Greenwich from Observatory Hill, c.1850 (watercolour)
7342006 Greenwich from Observatory Hill, c.1850 (watercolour) by Campion, George Bryant (1796-1870); 15.7x23.2 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Three figures using astronomical equipment in the Great Star Room or the Octagon Room, as it is known today
7339920 Three figures using astronomical equipment in the Great Star Room or the Octagon Room, as it is known today, at the Royal Observatory

The Altazimuth Instrument (engraving)
8629576 The Altazimuth Instrument (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Altazimuth Instrument)

Martha's Vineyard: Bathing Beach and Observatory (b/w photo)
8640627 Martha's Vineyard: Bathing Beach and Observatory (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bathing Beach and Observatory)

Refuge et observatoire Vallot (b/w photo)
8640726 Refuge et observatoire Vallot (b/w photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Refuge et observatoire Vallot)

The Royal Greenwich Observatory (built 1675--76), from Crooms Hill, circa 1680
MMM5461535 The Royal Greenwich Observatory (built 1675--76), from Crooms Hill, circa 1680, with a view of the Queen's House and the Thames River Buildings; National Maritime Museum, London

The Observatory and surroundings, view from the Butte aux Cailles, c.1710 (oil on canvas)
XIR417052 The Observatory and surroundings, view from the Butte aux Cailles, c.1710 (oil on canvas) by Millet, Jean-Francois, the Younger (1666-1723); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet

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Astronomic observatories are fascinating structures dedicated to the study of the universe. These impressive facilities house powerful telescopes that allow astronomers to observe celestial objects and phenomena in great detail. From tracking asteroids and comets, to studying distant galaxies and black holes, astronomic observatories play a crucial role in expanding our understanding of the cosmos. Whether located on remote mountaintops or in space, these observatories provide valuable data that helps scientists unravel the mysteries of the universe. With their cutting-edge technology and skilled researchers, astronomic observatories continue to push the boundaries of human knowledge and inspire wonder about the vastness of space. So next time you gaze up at the night sky, remember that there are dedicated teams working tirelessly at these observatories to unlock its secrets for all of us to marvel at.