Editing Observatory (section)

==Astronomical observatories==
{{main|List of astronomical observatories}}
{{see also|Observational astronomy}}
Astronomical observatories are mainly divided into four categories: [[space observatory|space-based]], [[airborne observatory|airborne]], ground-based, and underground-based. Historically, ground-based observatories were as simple as containing a [[mural instrument]] (for measuring the angle between [[star]]s) or [[Stonehenge]] (which has some alignments on astronomical phenomena).

===Ground-based observatories===
{{multiple image
 |direction = vertical
 |align     = right
 |width     = 330
 |image1    = ALMA’s Solitude01.jpg
 |image2    = 20041225-Paranal.jpg
 |image3    = Mauna Kea observatory.jpg
 |image4    = Haleakala Observatory Maui (45015823284).jpg
 |caption1  = [[Atacama Large Millimeter Array]], Chile, at {{convert|5,058|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|title=ALMA's Solitude|url=http://www.eso.org/public/images/potw1252a/|work=Picture of the Week|publisher=ESO|access-date=26 December 2012}}</ref>
 |caption2  = [[Paranal Observatory]], Chile, home of the [[Very Large Telescope|VLT]] at {{convert|2,635|m|ft|abbr=on}}
 |caption3  = The [[Mauna Kea Observatories]], Hawaii, home of several of the [[List of largest optical reflecting telescopes|world's largest optical telescopes]] at {{convert|4205|m|ft|abbr=on}}
 |caption4  = Haleakala Observatory at {{convert|3,036|m|ft|abbr=off}}, Maui, Hawaii
}}
Ground-based observatories, located on the surface of Earth, are used to make observations in the [[Radio frequency|radio]] and [[Visible-light astronomy|visible light]] portions of the [[electromagnetic spectrum]]. Most [[optical telescope]]s are housed within a [[dome]] or similar structure, to protect the delicate instruments from the elements. Telescope domes have a slit or other opening in the roof that can be opened during observing, and closed when the telescope is not in use. In most cases, the entire upper portion of the telescope dome can be rotated to allow the instrument to observe different sections of the night sky. Radio telescopes usually do not have domes.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

For optical telescopes, most ground-based observatories are located far from major centers of population, to avoid the effects of [[light pollution]]. The ideal locations for modern observatories are sites that have dark skies, a large percentage of clear nights per year, dry air, and are at high elevations. At high elevations, the [[Earth's atmosphere]] is thinner, thereby minimizing the effects of [[atmospheric turbulence]] and resulting in better astronomical "[[astronomical seeing|seeing]]".<ref>{{cite book| last = Chaisson| first = Eric|author2=McMillan, Steve| title = Astronomy Today, Fourth Edition| pages = 116–119|publisher = [[Prentice Hall]]| date = 2002}}</ref> Sites that meet the above criteria for modern observatories include the [[southwestern United States]], [[Hawaii]], [[Canary Islands]], the [[Andes]], and high mountains in [[Mexico]] such as [[Sierra Negra]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Chaisson| first = Eric|author2=McMillan, Steve| title = Astronomy Today, Fourth Edition| page = 119|publisher = [[Prentice Hall]]| date = 2002}}</ref> [[List of largest optical telescopes historically|Major optical observatories]] include [[Mauna Kea Observatory]] and [[Kitt Peak National Observatory]] in the US, [[Roque de los Muchachos Observatory]] in Spain, and [[Paranal Observatory]] and [[Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory]] in [[Chile]].<ref>Leverington, David (2017) [https://books.google.com/books?id=o0xsDQAAQBAJ ''Observatories and Telescopes of Modern Times''] Cambridge Univ Press {{ISBN|9780521899932}}</ref><ref>Meszaros, Stephen Paul (1986). [https://books.google.com/books?id=ReWYs1AImFcC&pg=PA2 ''World Atlas of Large Optical Telescopes''], NASA TM 87775, p. 2.
</ref>

Specific research study performed in 2009 shows that the best possible location for ground-based observatory on Earth is [[Ridge A]]—a place in the central part of Eastern Antarctica.<ref name="Saunders et al. 2009">{{Cite journal |last1=Saunders |first1=Will |last2=Lawrence |first2=Jon S. |last3=Storey |first3=John W. V. |last4=Ashley |first4=Michael C. B. |last5=Kato |first5=Seiji |last6=Minnis |first6=Patrick |last7=Winker |first7=David M. |last8=Liu |first8=Guiping |last9=Kulesa |first9=Craig |name-list-style=amp |date=2009 |title=Where Is the Best Site on Earth? Domes A, B, C, and F, and Ridges A and B |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |volume=121 |issue=883 |pages=976–992 |doi=10.1086/605780|bibcode=2009PASP..121..976S|arxiv = 0905.4156 |s2cid=11166739 }}</ref> This location provides the least atmospheric disturbances and best visibility.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

====Solar observatories====
{{main|Solar telescope}}

====Radio observatories====
Beginning in 1933, [[radio telescope]]s have been built for use in the field of [[radio astronomy]] to observe the Universe in the radio portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Such an instrument, or collection of instruments, with supporting facilities such as control centres, visitor housing, data reduction centers, and/or maintenance facilities are called ''radio observatories''. Radio observatories are similarly located far from major population centers to avoid [[electromagnetic interference]] (EMI) from [[radio]], [[TV]], [[radar]], and other EMI emitting devices, but unlike optical observatories, radio observatories can be placed in [[valley]]s for further EMI shielding. Some of the world's major radio observatories include the [[Very Large Array]] in [[New Mexico]], United States, [[Jodrell Bank]] in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[Arecibo Observatory|Arecibo]] in [[Puerto Rico]], [[Parkes Observatory|Parkes]] in [[New South Wales]], Australia, and [[Llano de Chajnantor Observatory|Chajnantor]] in [[Chile]]. A related discipline is [[Very-long-baseline interferometry]] (VLBI).{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

====Highest astronomical observatories====
{{main|List of highest astronomical observatories}}
Since the mid-20th century, a number of astronomical observatories have been constructed at very [[high altitude]]s, above {{convert|4000|–|5000|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The largest and most notable of these is the [[Mauna Kea Observatory]], located near the summit of a {{convert|4205|m|ft|abbr=on}} volcano in Hawaiʻi. The [[Chacaltaya#Observatory|Chacaltaya Astrophysical Observatory]] in Bolivia, at {{convert|5230|m|ft|abbr=on}}, was the world's highest permanent astronomical observatory<ref name="ASR2009">{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/j.asr.2008.10.039|last=Zanini|first=A.|author2=Storini, M.|author3=Saavedra, O.|date=2009|title=Cosmic rays at High Mountain Observatories|journal=Advances in Space Research|volume=44|issue=10|pages=1160–1165|bibcode=2009AdSpR..44.1160Z}}</ref> from the time of its construction during the 1940s until 2009. It has now been surpassed by the new [[University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory]],<ref name="TAO">{{cite web|url=http://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/press/press-2009-15en.html|title=The 1m telescope at the Atacama Observatory has Started Scientific Operation, detecting the Hydrogen Emission Line from the Galactic Center in the Infrared Light|last=Yoshii|first=Yuzuru|display-authors=etal|date=August 11, 2009|work=Press Release|publisher=School of Science, the University of Tokyo|access-date=21 December 2009|archive-date=28 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528115920/http://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/press/press-2009-15en.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> an optical-infrared telescope on a remote {{convert|5640|m|ft|abbr=on}} mountaintop in the [[Atacama Desert]] of Chile.

{{multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| align             = right
| width             = 225
| image1            = Daniells1808a.jpg
| image2            = Chichen Itza Observatory 2 1.jpg
| image3            = Maragheh observatory 2.JPG
| image4            = Jantar Mantar at Jaipur.jpg
| image5            = Tartu asv2022-04 img06 Old Observatory.jpg
| image6            = SLNSW 479519 16 Observatory SH 198.jpg
| image7            = Quito Observatory.JPG
| image8            = STANICA LANOVKY S OBSERVATÓRIOM.JPG
| image9            =
| caption1          = Ancient Indian observatory at Delhi
| caption2          = "El Caracol" observatory temple at [[Chichen Itza]], Mexico
| caption3          = Remains of the [[Maragheh observatory]] (under dome) at [[Maragheh]], Iran
| caption4          = [[Jantar Mantar (Jaipur)|Jantar Mantar]] in [[Jaipur]], India
| caption5          = The Estonian [[Tartu Observatory]] starting point of the [[Struve Geodetic Arc]]<ref>Taavi Tuvikene, [http://www.obs.ee/index_eng.html Tartu Old Observatory], 18 February 2009</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140611231732/http://www.to.ee/eng Tartu Observatory – Official website (English version)]</ref>
| caption6          = 19th century Observatory [[Sydney]], Australia (1872)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030602155203/http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/ Official Web Site] of the [[Sydney Observatory]]</ref>
| caption7          = Ecuador's 1873-[[Quito Astronomical Observatory]] near the [[Equator]]<ref name="astroguyz.com">{{Cite web |url=http://astroguyz.com/2009/12/09/the-oldest-observatory-in-south-america/ |title=One of the Oldest Observatories in South America is the Quito Astronomical Observatory |access-date=2015-01-05 |archive-date=2012-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118055218/http://astroguyz.com/2009/12/09/the-oldest-observatory-in-south-america/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://oaq.epn.edu.ec/ Official website of the Quito Astronomical Observatory]</ref>
| caption8          = The 1962-built Solar observatory on [[Lomnický štít|Lomnický peak]] in Slovakia<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-29059374 |title=Slovakia's High Tatras mountains are seen from the solar observatory station on the Lomnicky Stit peak|publisher=[[BBC]]|date= 5 September 2014}}</ref><ref>[https://thestarphoenix.com/news/Photos+World+Photos+Sept/10174778/story.html A long time exposed picture taken by night shows Slovakia's High Tatras mountains seen from the Solar observatory station on the Lomnicky Stit peak] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016031205/http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Photos+World+Photos+Sept/10174778/story.html |date=2017-10-16 }} 4 September 2014.</ref>
| caption9          = A modern observatory in [[Tehran]]'s [[Ab-o-Atash Park]], Iran
| image10           = Griffith observatory 2006.jpg
| caption10         = [[Griffith Observatory]] in September 2006 in [[Los Angeles, California]]
}}

====Oldest astronomical observatories====
{{main|List of archaeoastronomical sites by country}}
The oldest proto-observatories, in the sense of an [[observation post]] for astronomy,<ref name="Micheau-992-3" />
* [[Wurdi Youang]], Australia
* [[Zorats Karer]], [[Karahunj]], Armenia
* [[Loughcrew]], Ireland
* [[Newgrange]], Ireland
* [[Stonehenge]], Great Britain
* [[Chankillo]], Peru
* [[Chichen Itza|El Caracol]], Mexico
* [[Buto]], Egypt<ref>{{Cite web |last=Radley |first=Dario |date=2024-08-24 |title=Ancient astronomical observatory discovered in Egypt |url=https://archaeologymag.com/2024/08/astronomical-observatory-discovered-in-kafr-el-sheikh/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Archaeology News Online Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Abu Simbel]], Egypt
* [[Kokino]], [[Kumanovo]], North Macedonia
* [[Hipparchus|Observatory at Rhodes]], Greece<ref>"[https://www.britannica.com/facts/5/147663/Hipparchus-as-discussed-in-astronomical-observatory Facts about Hipparchus: astronomical observatory, as discussed in astronomical observatory:]". Encyclopædia Britannica.{{Dead link|date=May 2014}}</ref>
* [[Goseck circle]], Germany
* [[Ujjain]], India
* [[Arkaim]], Russia
* [[Cheomseongdae]], South Korea
* [[Angkor Wat]], Cambodia

The oldest true observatories, in the sense of a specialized [[research institute]],<ref name = "Micheau-992-3">{{Cite book |contributor-last=Micheau |contributor-first=Francoise |contribution=The Scientific Institutions in the Medieval Near East |pages=992–3 |last1=Rashed |first1=Roshdi |last2=Morelon |first2=Régis |date=1996 |title=Encyclopedia of the History of Arabic Science |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-415-12410-2 |title-link=Encyclopedia of the History of Arabic Science}}</ref><ref name="Barrett">Peter Barrett (2004), ''Science and Theology Since Copernicus: The Search for Understanding'', p. 18, [[Continuum International Publishing Group]], {{ISBN|0-567-08969-X}}.</ref><ref name=Kennedy-1962>{{Cite journal |last=Kennedy |first=Edward S. |date=1962 |title=Review: ''The Observatory in Islam and Its Place in the General History of the Observatory'' by Aydin Sayili |journal=[[Isis (journal)|Isis]] |volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=237–239 |doi=10.1086/349558 }}</ref> include:
* 825: [[Astronomy in medieval Islam#Observatories|Al-Shammisiyyah Observatory]], [[Baghdad]], Iraq
* 869: [[Sankaranarayana|Mahodayapuram Observatory]], [[Kerala]], India
* 1259: [[Maragheh observatory|Maragheh Observatory]], [[Azerbaijan (Iran)|Azerbaijan]], Iran
* 1276: [[Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory]], China
* 1420: [[Ulugh Beg Observatory]], [[Samarkand|Samarqand]], Uzbekistan
* 1442: [[Beijing Ancient Observatory]], China
* 1577: [[Constantinople Observatory of Taqi ad-Din]], Turkey
* 1580: [[Uraniborg]], Denmark
* 1581: [[Stjerneborg]], Denmark
* 1633: [[Leiden Observatory]], Netherlands
* 1642: [[Panzano Observatory]], Italy
* 1642: [[Rundetårn|Round Tower]], Denmark
* 1667: [[Paris Observatory]], France
* 1675: [[Royal Greenwich Observatory]], England
* 1695: [[Sukharev Tower]], Russia
* 1711: [[Berlin Observatory]], Germany
* 1724: [[Jantar Mantar]], India
* 1753: [[Stockholm Observatory]], Sweden
* 1753: [[Vilnius University Observatory]], Lithuania
* 1753: [[Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada]], Spain<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spainisculture.com/en/archivo-biblioteca/cadiz/real_instituto_y_observatorio_de_la_armada_de_san_fernando.html |title=Royal Institute and Observatory of the San Fernando Armada |access-date=2013-09-13 |archive-date=2012-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308002803/http://www.spainisculture.com/en/archivo-biblioteca/cadiz/real_instituto_y_observatorio_de_la_armada_de_san_fernando.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 1759: [[Trieste Observatory]], Italy.
* 1757: [[Macfarlane Observatory]], Scotland.
* 1759: [[Turin Observatory]], Italy.
* 1764: [[Brera Astronomical Observatory]], Italy.
* 1765: [[Johan Maurits Mohr|Mohr Observatory]], Indonesia.
* 1771: [[Astronomical Observatory of Lviv University|Lviv Observatory]], Ukraine.
* 1774: [[Vatican Observatory|Observatory of the Vatican]], Italy.
* 1785: [[Dunsink Observatory]], Ireland.
* 1786: [[Madras Observatory]], India.
* 1789: [[Armagh Observatory]], Northern Ireland.
* 1790: [[Royal Observatory of Madrid]], Spain,<ref>{{cite web |title=Real Observatorio de Madrid – Breve semblanza histórica |url=http://www.fomento.es/MFOM/LANG_CASTELLANO/DIRECCIONES_GENERALES/INSTITUTO_GEOGRAFICO/Astronomia/instalaciones/oam/default.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726052016/http://www.fomento.es/MFOM/LANG_CASTELLANO/DIRECCIONES_GENERALES/INSTITUTO_GEOGRAFICO/Astronomia/instalaciones/oam/default.htm |archive-date=2013-07-26 |language=es}}</ref>
* 1803: [[National Astronomical Observatory (Colombia)|National Astronomical Observatory]], Bogotá, Colombia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.observatorio.unal.edu.co |title=Observatorio Astronómico Nacional (Universidad Nacional de Colombia) |access-date=2019-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511173449/http://www.observatorio.unal.edu.co/ |archive-date=2008-05-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 1811: [[Tartu Observatory|Tartu Old Observatory]], [[Estonia]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitestonia.com/en/on-its-200th-anniversary-tartu-old-observatory-opens-doors-as-a-museum |title=On its 200th Anniversary Tartu Old Observatory Opens Doors as a Museum |publisher=Visit Estonia |date=26 April 2011 |access-date=26 January 2013 |archive-date=29 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429074717/http://www.visitestonia.com/en/on-its-200th-anniversary-tartu-old-observatory-opens-doors-as-a-museum |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 1812: [[Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte]], Naples, Italy
* 1830/1842: [[United States Naval Observatory|Depot of Charts & Instruments/US Naval Observatory]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/butowsky5/astro4g.htm |title=Astronomy and Astrophysics (United States Naval Observatory) |publisher=Heritage Preservation Services, National Park Service |date=2001-11-05 |access-date=2011-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629103924/http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/butowsky5/astro4g.htm |archive-date=2011-06-29 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1086/384852 | jstor = 237905 | last1 = Portolano | first1 = M. | title = John Quincy Adams's Rhetorical Crusade for Astronomy | journal = Isis | volume = 91 | issue = 3 | pages = 480–503 | year = 2000 | pmid = 11143785| s2cid = 25585014 | url = https://zenodo.org/record/1235690 |via=Zenodo }}</ref> US
* 1830: [[Yale University Observatory]] Atheneum, US
* 1834: [[Helsinki University Observatory]], Finland<ref>[http://www.helsinki.fi/astro/vaiheet/ History of astronomy at University of Helsinki 1834–1984] {{in lang|fi}}.</ref>
* 1838: [[Hopkins Observatory|Hopkins Observatory, Williams College]], US
* 1838: [[Loomis Observatory]], [[Western Reserve Academy]], US
* 1839: [[Pulkovo Observatory]], Russia
* 1842: [[Cincinnati Observatory]], US
* 1844: [[Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory]], US
* 1847: [[Harvard College Observatory]], US
* 1854: [[Detroit Observatory]], US
* 1873: [[Quito Astronomical Observatory]], Ecuador
* 1878: [[Lisbon Astronomical Observatory]], Portugal
* 1884: [[McCormick Observatory]], US
* 1888: [[Lick Observatory]], US
* 1890: [[Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory]], US
* 1894: [[Lowell Observatory]], US
* 1895: [[Theodor Jacobsen Observatory]], US
* 1897: [[Yerkes Observatory]], US
* 1899: [[Kodaikanal Solar Observatory]], India

===Space-based observatories===
{{main|Space telescope}}
[[File:Hubble Space Telescope (27946391011).jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|The [[Hubble Space Telescope]] in Earth's orbit]]
Space-based observatories are telescopes or other instruments that are located in [[outer space]], many in [[orbit]] around the Earth. Space telescopes can be used to observe astronomical objects at wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum that cannot penetrate the [[Earth's atmosphere]] and are thus impossible to observe using ground-based telescopes. The Earth's atmosphere is [[Opacity (optics)|opaque]] to [[ultraviolet]] radiation, [[X-rays]], and [[gamma rays]] and is partially opaque to [[infrared]] radiation so observations in these portions of the electromagnetic spectrum are best carried out from a location above the atmosphere of our planet.<ref>{{cite book| last = Chaisson| first = Eric|author2=McMillan, Steve| title = Astronomy Today, Fourth Edition| publisher = [[Prentice Hall]]| date = 2002}}</ref> Another advantage of space-based telescopes is that, because of their location above the Earth's atmosphere, their images are free from the effects of atmospheric turbulence that plague ground-based observations.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=NASA|url=https://history.nasa.gov/hubble/index.html|title=A Brief History of the Hubble Space Telescope: Why a Space Telescope?|access-date=2006-08-14}}</ref> As a result, the [[angular resolution]] of space telescopes such as the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] is often much smaller than a ground-based telescope with a similar [[aperture]]. However, all these advantages do come with a price. Space telescopes are much more expensive to build than ground-based telescopes. Due to their location, space telescopes are also extremely difficult to maintain. The Hubble Space Telescope was able to be serviced by the [[Space Shuttle]]s while many other space telescopes cannot be serviced.

===Airborne observatories===
{{main|Airborne observatory}}
[[File:SOFIA with open telescope doors.jpg|thumb|[[Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy|SOFIA]] on board a [[Boeing 747SP]]]]
Airborne observatories have the advantage of height over ground installations, putting them above most of the Earth's atmosphere. They also have an advantage over space telescopes: The instruments can be deployed, repaired and updated much more quickly and inexpensively. The [[Kuiper Airborne Observatory]] and the [[Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy]] use airplanes to observe in the [[infrared]], which is absorbed by [[water vapor]] in the atmosphere. [[High-altitude balloon]]s for X-ray astronomy have been used in a variety of countries.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

===Neutrino observatories===
{{main|Neutrino detector}}
Example underground, underwater or under ice neutrino observatories include:
* 1998–2003 [[GALLEX|Gallium Neutrino Observatory]]
* 1999–2006 [[Sudbury Neutrino Observatory]]
* 2003 [[Baikal Deep Underwater Neutrino Telescope]]
* 2010 [[IceCube Neutrino Observatory]]
* 2012 [[Helium and Lead Observatory]] (HALO)