Armagh Observatory

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Hiberno-English Template:Multiple issues

Template:Infobox Observatory Armagh Observatory is an astronomical research institute in Armagh, Northern Ireland. Around 25 astronomers are based at the observatory, studying stellar astrophysics, the Sun, Solar System astronomy and Earth's climate.

In 2018, Armagh Observatory was recognized for having 224 years of unbroken weather records.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

HistoryEdit

The Observatory is located close to the centre of the city of Armagh, adjacent to the Armagh Planetarium in approximately Template:Convert of landscaped grounds known as the Armagh Astropark. It was founded in 1789 by The Most Rev. and Rt Hon. The 1st Baron Rokeby, Church of Ireland Lord Primate of All Ireland and Lord Archbishop of Armagh.

In 1795 through 1797 Solar observations were made at Armagh, including measurements of sunspots.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Ernst Julius Öpik (grandfather of Lembit Öpik MP) was based here for over 30 years and among his many contributions to astrophysics he wrote of the dangers of an asteroid impacting on the Earth.

One of the observatory's directors, Thomas Romney Robinson invented the cup anemometer, a device for measuring wind speed.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite book</ref>

A plan was announced in 1949 to establish an Armagh Planetarium.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> After many years work the Planetarium opened in 1968, its first director was Patrick Moore. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2018, the observatory was given an award by Centennial Weather Station Award from the World Meteorological Organisation for 224 years of unbroken weather recordings. The records go back to 1794 and are also made available on the internet in the early 21st century.<ref name=":0" />

In modern times the Observatory along with the nearby Planetarium and 14-acre Astropark are noted tourist attraction and education centre. The gardens, historical telescopes, and various astronomically related devices such as sundials are among some of the exhibits for visitors.<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2025, the Irish Historic Astronomical Observatories, consisting of Dunsink Observatory, Birr Castle and Armagh Observatory, were added to the World Heritage Tentative List, a step towards becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

FacilitiesEdit

There are scale models of the Solar System and the Universe, two sundials and historic telescopes, as well as telescope domes and other outdoor exhibits. The Human Orrery, launched in 2004, is located close to the main Observatory building. The Observatory's specialist library and archives, and collections of scientific instruments and artefacts associated with the development of modern astronomy, represent one of the leading collections of its kind in the British Isles.

InstrumentsEdit

A 2½ inch aperture refracting telescope by J & E Troughton was installed in a dome in 1795.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite book</ref> The telescope was manufactured in London, and is noted for its late 18th century brass metal work.<ref name=":6" /> It is also known the Troughton Equatorial Telescope, for having an equatorial mounting.<ref name=":6" />

The observatory has an Earnshaw Regulator.<ref name=":6" /> It is an accurate type of clock invented in 1791 by Thomas Earnshaw.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Earnshaw travelled with it to Armagh to set it up in the new Observatory.

In the early 1800s it was reported to have a mural circle instrument.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Another instrument at the observatory is a sunshine recorder.<ref name=":0" />

In the 1830s the observatory bought a 15-inch reflecting telescope from the Grubb Telescope Company.<ref name="Butler">Template:Cite journal</ref> The telescope used a speculum metal mirror mounted on an equatorial mount with clockwork-drive.<ref name=Butler />

In 1885, a ten-inch aperture refracting telescope was installed, also by Grubb.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was installed in the Robinson dome.<ref name=":2" />

Meridian marks can be found in the vicinity of the observatory, these look like stone arches, but were used to mark the location of the north-south line for the astronomical instruments. There is also another one in the form of an iron obelisk. The first meridian mark was built in 1793, and is in Tullyard, and it was used with the transit instrument.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite journal</ref>

In 2005, two wide-angle cameras for a meteor detection systems were installed.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

ResearchEdit

The records of temperature take at Armagh Observatory between 1844 and 2004 were analyzed in 2006 research paper.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

List of directorsEdit

Directors of Armagh Observatory
James Archibald Hamilton	1790 - 1815
William Davenport	1815 - 1823
Thomas Romney Robinson	1823 - 1882
John Louis Emil Dreyer	1882 - 1916
Joseph A. Hardcastle	1917
WFA Ellison	1918 - 1936
Eric Mervyn Lindsay	1937 - 1974
Mart de Groot	1976 - 1994
Mark E. Bailey	1995 - 2016

Directors of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
Michael G. Burton<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2016 -

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

Template:Places of Interest in County Armagh Template:Portal bar Template:Authority control