Observatory 58968 224301002 2008-07-08T06:32:45Z Merce258 7440279 I have added the definition of Observatory of New technologies {{otheruses4|scientific observatories|the suburb of Cape Town|Observatory, Cape Town|other uses|The Observatory}} [[Image:Sphinx Observatory.jpg|thumb|The Sphinx Observatory at the [[Jungfraujoch]] in the [[Swiss Alps]], high altitude observatories are less affected by the atmosphere.]] An '''observatory''' is a location used for observing terrestrial and/or celestial events. [[Astronomy]], [[climatology]]/[[meteorology]], [[geology]], [[oceanography]] and [[volcanology]] are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed. Historically, observatories were as simple as containing an [[sextant (astronomical)|astronomical sextant]] (for measuring the distance between [[star]]s) or [[Stonehenge]] (which has some alignments on astronomical phenomena). ==Astronomical observatories== ===Ground-based observatories=== [[Image:20041225-Paranal.jpg|thumb|400px|right|[[Paranal Observatory]], home of the [[Very Large Telescope]], a cluster of four large (8.2 meter diameter) telescopes.]] 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 other similar structure in order to protect the delicate instruments from the elements. Telescope domes contain a slat or other opening in the roof that can be opened during observing and then closed when the telescope is not in use. In most cases, the entire upper portion of the telescope dome can be rotated in order to allow the instrument to observe different sections of the night sky. Radio telescopes usually do not have domes. For optical telescopes, most ground-based observatories are located far from major centers of population in order 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| coauthors = 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]], the [[Andes Mountains]], and [[Australia]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Chaisson| first = Eric| coauthors = McMillan, Steve| title = Astronomy Today, Fourth Edition| pages = 119|publisher = [[Prentice Hall]]| date = 2002}}</ref> Major optical observatories include [[Mauna Kea Observatory|Mauna Kea]], HI, USA, [[Roque de los Muchachos Observatory]] in [[Spain]], [[Paranal Observatory]] in [[Chile]] and [[Kitt Peak]] observatory in the USA. The largest observatory in the equatorial belt is [[Observatorio Nacional de Llano del Hato]] in [[Venezuela]] ====Radio observatories==== Beginning in the 1930's, [[radio telescope]]s have been built for use in the field of [[radio astronomy]]. Such an instrument, or a collection of them, with outbuildings for such things as control centres, data reduction centers, and maintenance are called ''radio observatories''. Radio observatories are similarly located far from major centers of population in order to avoid [[electromagnetic interference]] (EMI) from [[radio]], [[TV]], [[radar]], and other EMI emitting devices. But unlike optical observatories, radio observatories will be placed in [[valley]]s to further shield them from EMI. Some of the major radio observatories are at [[Very Large Array|Socorro]], in [[New Mexico]], [[USA]], [[Jodrell Bank]] in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[Arecibo Observatory|Arecibo]], [[Puerto Rico]] and [[Parkes Observatory|Parkes]] in [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]. ===Space-based observatories=== {{main|Space observatory}} [[Image:Hubble 01.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The [[Hubble Space Telescope]], a space-based observatory]] Space-based observatories are telescopes or other instruments that are located in [[outer space]], many in [[orbit]] around the Earth. Space-based observatories 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| coauthors = 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=http://history.nasa.gov/hubble/index.html|title=A Brief History of the Hubble Space Telescope: Why a Space Telescope?|accessdate=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 can be serviced by the [[Space Shuttle]] while many other space telescopes can not be serviced at all.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Space Telescope Science Institute|url=http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/groundup/lesson/eras/space/page3.php|title=A Era of Space Telescopes|accessdate=2006-09-14}}</ref> ===Oldest astronomical observatories=== [[Image:Chichen Itza Observatory 2 1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|"El Caracol" observatory temple at [[Chichen Itza]], [[Mexico]].]] Some of the oldest observatories include: *[[Chankillo]], [[Peru]] *[[Abu Simbel]], [[Egypt]] *[[Stonehenge]], [[Great Britain]] *[[Kokino]], [[Republic of Macedonia]] *[[Goseck circle]], [[Germany]] *[[Ujjain]], [[India]] *[[Arkaim]], [[Russia]] *[[Cheomseongdae]], [[South Korea]] *[[Islamic astronomy#Observatories|Baghdad observatory]], [[Iraq]] *[[Ray, Iran]] *[[Angkor Wat]], [[Cambodia]] *[[Maragheh observatory]], [[Iran]] *[[Chichen Itza|El Caracol]], [[Mexico]] ==Volcano observatories== {{main|Volcano observatory}} A [[Volcano observatory]] is an institution that conducts research and monitoring of a [[volcano]]. Mobile volcano observatories exist with the [[USGS]] VDAP (Volcano Disaster Assistance Program), to be deployed on demand. ==Observatory of New Technologies== The Observatory of New Technologies is in charge of investigating and carrying out a follow-up of the impact of the information and communication technologies in our homes, in our companies and in our civil service; as a research centre, whose mission is to observe, analyse, evaluate and offer information regarding the impact that modern technologies have on society. == See also == {{Wiktionary}} {{commons|Observatory}} * [[Space observatory]] * [[Fundamental station]] * [[Timeline of telescopes, observatories, and observing technology]] * [[List of astronomical observatories]] * [[List of observatory codes]] == References == <div class="references-small"><references/></div> ==External links== *[http://www.library.northwestern.edu/archives/findingaids/dearborn.pdf Dearborn Observatory Records, Northwestern University Archives, Evanston, Illinois] *[http://www.eso.org/~ndelmott/obs_sites.html Coordinates and satellite images of astronomical observatories on Earth] *[http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/profile.cfm?MCode=EbO Earth-based Observatories Profile] by [http://solarsystem.nasa.gov NASA's Solar System Exploration] *[http://www.whoi.edu/sbl/liteSite.do?litesiteid=7732&articleId=11729 Ocean Observatory Information], [[Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution]] *[http://www.whoi.edu/institutes/occi/viewTopic.do?o=read&id=541 Climate Change Observing Systems Information from the Ocean & Climate Change Institute], [[Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution]] *[http://www.observatory-guide.org/ Milkyweb Astronomical Observatory Guide] world's largest database of astronomical observatories since 2001 - about 2000 entries *[http://www.whoi.edu/institutes/coi/viewTopic.do?o=read&id=365 Coastal Observatory Information from the Coastal Ocean Institute], [[Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution]] *[http://www.platial.com/hundredflowers/map/3555#Planetaria_and_Observatories Map: Planetaria and Observatories] *[http://cleardarksky.com/cgi-bin/find_clock.py?keys=%22%5C%28observatoire%5C%7Cobservatory%5C%7Cobservatories%5C%29%22&type=text&doit=Find List of amateur and professional observatories in North America with custom weather forecasts] [[Category:Astronomical observatories]] [[az:Rəsədxana]] [[bg:Обсерватория]] [[cs:Observatoř]] [[da:Observatorium]] [[de:Sternwarte]] [[el:Αστεροσκοπείο]] [[es:Observatorio]] [[eo:Observatorio]] [[fa:رصدخانه]] [[fr:Observatoire astronomique]] [[gl:Observatorio]] [[ko:천문대]] [[hr:Opservatorij]] [[id:Observatorium]] [[it:Osservatorio astronomico]] [[he:מצפה כוכבים]] [[lv:Observatorija]] [[lb:Observatoire]] [[lt:Observatorija]] [[nl:Sterrenwacht]] [[ja:天文台]] [[pl:Obserwatorium astronomiczne]] [[pt:Observatório]] [[ru:Обсерватория]] [[scn:Ossirvatoriu astronòmicu]] [[simple:Observatory]] [[sk:Observatórium]] [[sl:Observatorij]] [[sr:Опсерваторија]] [[fi:Observatorio]] [[sv:Observatorium]] [[th:หอดูดาว]] [[tr:Gözlemevi]] [[uk:Обсерваторія]] [[zh:天文台]]