Union Observatory

-26.1842528.074227777778

The Union Observatory, english Union Observatory was an astronomical observatory in the suburb of Observatory in Johannesburg in South Africa. It bears the observatory code 078

The name was changed in the course of time several times. Founded in 1903 as the Transvaal Meteorological Department on the Observatory Ridge, it was known from 1909 to 1912 under the name of the Transvaal Observatory, it was there from 1912 to 1961, the term Union Observatory, to then be renamed Republic Observatory. Due to the increasing light pollution in the environment of Johannesburg took place in 1972, the closure.

At the same time the South African government, the entire astronomical research under the umbrella of the South African Astronomical Observatory ( SAAO ) decided to merge. The most important telescopes were placed in the observation station of the SAAO in Sutherland. The Radcliffe Observatory in Pretoria this decision was also a victim.

One of the most important observations ever made ​​on the Union Observatory was the discovery of Proxima Centauri in 1915 by the then Director Robert Innes.

Weblink

  • Republic Observatory. on www.assa.saao.ac.za (English)

- 26.1842528.074227777778Koordinaten: 26 ° 11 ' 3 " S, 28 ° 4' 27" E

  • Hard floor observatory
  • Building in South Africa
  • Science and research in South Africa
Robert T. A. Innes
792430
de