Gotha Observatory(Seeberg Observatory,Sternwarte GothaorSeeberg-Sternwarte) was a German astronomical observatory located on Seeberg hill nearGotha,Thuringia,Germany.[1]Initially the observatory was dedicated toastrometry,geodetic and meteorological observation and tracking the time.
 Seeberg Observatory | |
| Alternative names | Gotha Observatory |
|---|---|
| Observatory code | 279 |
| Location | Gotha,Germany |
| Coordinates | 50°56′0″N10°45′0″E/ 50.93333°N 10.75000°E |
| Established | After 1787 |
| Closed | 1934 |
  Location of Gotha Observatory | |
 Related media on Commons | |
The minor planet1346 Gothawas named after the city of Gotha in recognition of the observatory.[2]
History
editPlanning for the observatory began in 1787 by the court astronomer BaronFranz Xaver von Zach,with the financing ofErnest II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.It was based upon theRadcliffe ObservatoryinOxford,England.The building was divided into five parts, with the central section holding a revolving dome. There were two wings to provide quarters for the staff.[3]
DuringPeter Andreas Hansen's term, the observatory was dismantled and moved to a less exposed location in Gotha.[3]The observatory was closed in 1934.[4]
Instruments
edit
Around 1800, the observatory became an international center for astronomy, being the most modern astronomical institute primarily for its instruments.[5]The instruments came fromLondon,England,the standard place to acquire them in the 18th century.[5][6]These included an eighteen-inchquadrant,a two-foottransit instrument,threeHadleysextants,anachromaticheliometer,a two-foot achromaticrefractor,a Gregorianreflectorand many clocks.[5]
By the start of the nineteenth century improved instrumentation was acquired fromMunich,the standard place to acquire them in the 19th century:[4]consisting of atheodolite(Reichenbach,Utzschneider & Liebherr), a differentheliometer(Fraunhofer), new mounting, and three-footmeridian circle(Ertel,Utzschneider & Fraunhofer). Nospectroscopyorphotographywas performed at the observatory and the only astrophysical equipment of the observatory was aZöllnerphotometer.[5]
Directors
editThe observatory directors were as follows:[7]
- Franz Xaver von Zach,1787–1802
- Bernhard von Lindenau,1802 -?
- Johann Franz Encke,1822–1825[8]
- Peter Andreas Hansen1825 - 1876[8]
- Karl Nikolaus Adalbert Krueger1876 for four years[9]
- Hugo von Seeliger,1881[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Howse, D. (November 1986). "The Greenwich List of Observatories - a World List of Astronomical Observatories Instruments and Clocks - 1670-1850".Journal for the History of Astronomy.17(51): i-89.Bibcode:1986JHA....17A...1H.doi:10.1177/002182868601700401.S2CID118045782.– see page A29.
- ^Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003).Dictionary of minor planet names(5th ed.). Springer. p.109.ISBN978-3-540-00238-3.
- ^abArmitage, A. (1949). "Baron von Zach and his astronomical correspondence".Popular Astronomy.57:326–332.Bibcode:1949PA.....57..326A.
- ^abWolfschmidt, Gudrun (1998). "Gotha - the instruments of the observatory".Acta Historica Astronomiae.3:89–90.Bibcode:1998AcHA....3...89W.
- ^abcdWolfschmidt, Gudrun (2005)."Gotha - the instruments of the observatory".Acta Historica Astronomiae.3:89.Bibcode:1998AcHA....3...89W.Retrieved2009-05-16.
- ^Barton, William (1813).Memoirs of the Life of David Rittenhouse.E. Parker. pp.130.ISBN978-1-146-88042-8.
- ^Taylor, Marie Hansen; Kiliani, Lilian Bayard Taylor (1905).On two continents: memories of half a century.Doubleday, Page & company. p.4.ISBN978-0-548-98711-7.Retrieved2009-05-12.
- ^abS., E. C. (1921)."Calendar of Scientific Pioneers".Nature.107(2682): 124.Bibcode:1921Natur.107..124E.doi:10.1038/107124a0.RetrievedApril 15,2009.
- ^Royal Astronomical Society (1897).Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.Blackwell Scientific Publications.p. 224.
- ^Macpherson, Hector (1905).Astronomers of to-day and their work.Gall & Inglis. pp.180.
