Leiden Observatory

The Leiden Observatory (Dutch Leiden Observatory ) was built in 1633 as an observatory of the University of Leiden, making it the oldest university observatory in the world. In the first two decades, the observatory was used mainly for training purposes. 1861 a new and larger Observatory under the direction of Emperor Frederik was built, now known as the Oude Sterrewacht, Old Observatory ' (52 ° 9' 18 "N, 4 ° 29 '6" O52.1550054.484997 ).

The Leiden Observatory had many directors of world renown, such as Frederik Kaiser, Willem de Sitter, Ejnar Hertzsprung and Jan Hendrik Oort.

Other famous astronomers at the observatory Hendrik Antoon Lorentz sufferings were, Jacobus C. Kapteyn and Hendrik Christoffel van de Hulst.

1974 the Leiden Observatory to nearby Huygens Laboratory to, and recently the new J. H. Oort building was occupied. The name of Leiden Observatory ( nl. Leiden Observatory ), however, remained.

Current director is Huub Röttgering.