{{Short description|Astronomical observatory in Grand Est, France}} {{Infobox Observatory |name = Observatory of Strasbourg |background = |image = L'observatoire astronomique de Strasbourg (41534417322).jpg |caption = Observatory and botanical garden in Strasbourg |organization = University of Strasbourg |code = 522 |location = Strasbourg, France |coords = {{coord|48|35|0|N|7|46|5|E|type:landmark_region:FR|display=inline,title}} |altitude = 142 m |weather = |established = 1881 |closed = |website = [https://astro.unistra.fr/en/ astro.unistra.fr/en/] |telescope1_name = |telescope1_type = |telescope2_name = |telescope2_type = |telescope3_name = |telescope3_type = |telescope4_name = |telescope4_type = | map_type = France Strasbourg | pushpin_map = France Strasbourg }} The '''Observatory of Strasbourg''' is an astronomical observatory in Strasbourg, France.
== History == This observatory is actually Strasbourg's third observatory: the first was built in 1673 on one of the city's surrounding towers (the astronomer Julius Reichelt notably played a role in its establishment), and the second in 1828 on the roof of the buildings of the Academy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=L'Observatoire astronomique de l'Académie de Strasbourg (XIXe siècle) |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/display2.php/caaah_paper_2.pdf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fastro.u-strasbg.fr%2F%7Eheck%2F%2Fcaaah_paper_2.pdf}}</ref>
Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, the city of Strasbourg became part of the German Empire. The University of Strasbourg was refounded in 1872, and a new observatory began construction in 1875, in the Neustadt district. The main instrument was a 50 cm Repsold refractor, which saw first light in 1880 (see Great refractor). At the time this was the largest instrument in the German Empire. In 1881, the ninth General Assembly of the Astronomische Gesellschaft met in Strasbourg to mark the official inauguration.<ref> {{cite book | first=André | last=Heck | year=2005 | chapter=Strasbourg Observatory and the Astronomische Gesellschaft | title=The Multinational History of Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory | publisher=Springer | pages=221–222 | isbn=1-4020-3643-4 }}</ref><ref> {{cite book | first=G. | last=Wolfschmidt | year=2005 | chapter=Strasbourg Observatory in German Times | title=The Multinational History of Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory | volume=330 | publisher=Springer | pages=63–87 | isbn=1-4020-3643-4 | bibcode=2005ASSL..330...63W |doi = 10.1007/1-4020-3644-2_2 }}</ref>thumb|left|The refracting telescope inside the dome
The observatory site was selected primarily for instruction purposes and political symbolism, rather than the observational qualities. It was a low-lying site that was prone to mists. During the period up until 1914, the staff was too small to work the instruments and so there was little academic research published prior to World War I. The main observations were of comets and variable stars. After 1909, the instruments were also used to observe binary stars and perform photometry of nebulae.<ref> {{cite book | first=Roger | last=Hutchins | year=2008 | title=British University Observatories, 1772–1939 | page=240 | publisher=Ashgate Publishing | isbn=978-0-7546-3250-4 }}</ref>
The observatory is currently the home for the Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg, a database for the collection and distribution of astronomical information. This includes SIMBAD, a reference database for astronomical objects, VizieR, an astronomical catalogue service and Aladin, an interactive sky atlas. The modern extension of the building used to house the ''Planétarium de Strasbourg'' until 2023, and the opening of a larger and more modern planetarium in the vicinity. The observatory is surrounded by the Jardin botanique de l'Université de Strasbourg. In the vaulted basement below the observatory, a university-administered museum is located. Called ''Crypte aux étoiles'' ("star crypt"), it displays old telescopes and other antique astronomical devices such as clocks and theodolites.
== Notable astronomers == * Agnès Acker * Julius Bauschinger * Adolf Berberich * André Danjon * William Lewis Elkin * Ernest Esclangon * Ernst Hartwig * Carlos Jaschek * Pierre Lacroute * Otto Tetens * Friedrich Winnecke * Carl Wilhelm Wirtz * Walter Wislicenus * Rodrigo Ibata {{clear left}}
== See also == * List of astronomical observatories
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Commons category-inline|Strasbourg Observatory}} *[http://astro.u-strasbg.fr/ Official website of the Observatory] *[http://planetarium.u-strasbg.fr/ Official website of the Planetarium] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124045356/http://planetarium.u-strasbg.fr/ |date=2011-11-24 }} *[https://bibnum.obspm.fr/ark:/11287/2f3dP Publications of Strasbourg Observatory] digitalized on Paris Observatory digital library {{Portal bar|France|Astronomy|Stars|Spaceflight|Outer space|Solar System|Education|Science}} {{Authority control}}
Category:University of Strasbourg Category:Astronomical observatories in France Category:Buildings and structures in Strasbourg Category:Planetaria in France Category:1875 establishments in Germany Category:Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg Category:Museums in Strasbourg Category:Science museums in France Category:Hermann Eggert buildings