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Royal Observatory Edinburgh

Royal Observatory, Edinburgh
Royal Observatory Edinburgh East Tower 2010.jpg
Gate and East Tower
Organization Science and Technology Facilities Council
Code 277
Location Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Coordinates 55°55′23″N 3°11′16″W / 55.92306°N 3.18778°W / 55.92306; -3.18778Coordinates: 55°55′23″N 3°11′16″W / 55.92306°N 3.18778°W / 55.92306; -3.18778
Altitude 146 m
Established 1896
Website www.roe.ac.uk
Telescopes
Student lab 50 cm reflector
East Dome 90 cm Cassegrain reflector
West Dome 40/60 cm Schmidt camera (removed 2010)
Commons page
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Student lab 50 cm reflector
East Dome 90 cm Cassegrain reflector
West Dome 40/60 cm Schmidt camera (removed 2010)

The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh (ROE) is an astronomical institution located on Blackford Hill in Edinburgh. The site is owned by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The ROE comprises the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) of STFC, the Institute for Astronomy of the School of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Edinburgh, and the ROE Visitor Centre.

The observatory carries out astronomical research and university teaching; design, project management, and construction of instruments and telescopes for astronomical observatories; and teacher training in astronomy and outreach to the public. The ROE Library includes the Crawford Collection of books and manuscripts gifted in 1888 by James Ludovic Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford. Before it moved to the present site in 1896, the Royal Observatory was located on Calton Hill, close to the centre of Edinburgh, at what is now known as the City Observatory.

The University of Edinburgh in 1785 and by Royal Warrant of George III created the Regius Chair of Astronomy and appointed Robert Blair first Regius Professor of Astronomy. After his death in 1828 the position remained vacant until 1834. In 1811 private citizens had founded the Astronomical Institution of Edinburgh with John Playfair – professor of natural philosophy – as its president. The Institution acquired grounds on Calton Hill to build an observatory, which was designed by John's nephew William Henry Playfair; it remains to this day as the Playfair building of the City Observatory.


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Wikipedia

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