City Observatory

Le City Observatory, également connu sous le nom de observatoire de Calton Hill, est un ancien observatoire astronomique situé sur Calton Hill, à Édimbourg, Écosse. En 1890, l’observatoire a été remplacé par l’Observatoire royal, plus grand, situé au sud de la ville, où la pollution lumineuse était moindre. Le City Observatory est maintenant géré par le club d’astronomie local et est ouvert au public le vendredi.

1. Description

Le bâtiment central ayant l’apparence d’un temple grec est le Playfair Building (1818), nommé d’après le concepteur du bâtiment, William Henry Playfair. La partie la plus ancienne est la tour gothique dans le coin sud-ouest, face à Princes Street et au château d’Édimbourg. Construite en 1776, elle est également connue sous le nom de Observatory House, l’ancien observatoire, ou d’après son concepteur James Craig, James Craig House.

1. Galerie


1. Notes et références

(en) Cet article est partiellement ou en totalité issu de l’article de Wikipédia en anglais intitulé « City Observatory » (voir la liste des auteurs).

1. Bibliographie

(en) D. Gavine, Astronomy in Scotland 1745-1900, Open University, 1981 (en) H. A. Brück, The story of astronomy in Edinburgh from its beginnings until 1975, Edinburgh University Press, 1983 (ISBN 0-85224-480-0) (en) D. Gavine, « The Calton Hill observatories », ASE Journal, Astronomical Society of Edinburgh, nos 4-11,‎ 1981-1985 (ISSN 1756-5103)

1. Liens externes

Ressource relative à l'astronomie : Centre des planètes mineures

Portail de l’astronomie Portail de l’Écosse Portail des monuments classés au Royaume-Uni

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Collective Gallery

Collective is a contemporary art centre in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is situated on Calton Hill, in the former City Observatory and City Dome site. It offers a programme of exhibitions, guided walking tours, audio walking tours, and events.

Art Landmark

City Observatory

The City Observatory was an astronomical observatory on Calton Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is also known as the Calton Hill Observatory. The site is enclosed by a boundary wall with a monument to John Playfair, president of the Edinburgh Astronomical Institution, in the southeast corner. The oldest part is the Gothic Tower in the southwest corner, facing Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle. It is also known as Observatory House, the Old Observatory, or after its designer James Craig House. The central building with the appearance of a Greek temple is the Playfair Building, named after the building's designer William Henry Playfair. This houses the 6-inch (15 cm) refractor in its dome and the 6.4-inch (16 cm) transit telescope in its eastern wing. The largest dome of the site is the City Dome in the northeast corner. During the early 20th century this contained a 22-inch (56 cm) refractor. In 2018, the entire site was restored and new buildings were added. The City Observatory site was opened freely to the public for the first time on 24 November 2018 as the new site for Collective, a centre for contemporary art.

Art Landmark

Edinburgh Astronomical Institution

The Edinburgh Astronomical Institution was founded in 1811 and wound up in 1847. It was instrumental in the foundation of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh in 1822. The Institution raised funds, mostly by member subscription, to create three departments: A scientific observatory with an observer was to be under the control of the professors of mathematics, philosophy and astronomy of the University of Edinburgh, a popular observatory was to provide general instruction and amusement and a "physical cabinet" would comprise books, globes, meteorological and other instruments.

Historic Site Landmark

Dugald Stewart Monument

The Dugald Stewart Monument is a memorial to the Scottish Enlightenment philosopher Dugald Stewart (1753–1828). It is situated on Calton Hill overlooking the city of Edinburgh and was designed by Scottish architect William Henry Playfair.

Landmark Monument

Calton Hill

Calton Hill (; Scottish Gaelic: Cnoc Coilltinn) is a hill in central Edinburgh, Scotland, situated beyond the east end of Princes Street and included in the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Views of, and from, the hill are often used in photographs and paintings of the city. Calton Hill is the headquarters of the Scottish Government, which is based at St Andrew's House, on the steep southern slope of the hill. The Scottish Parliament Building and other prominent buildings such as Holyrood Palace lie near the foot of the hill. Calton Hill is also the location of several monuments and buildings: the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, the Dugald Stewart Monument, the old Royal High School, the Robert Burns Monument, the Political Martyrs' Monument and the City Observatory. The area lies between the Edinburgh districts of Greenside and Abbeyhill.

Historic Site Landmark