Bosianu Astronomical Observatory

Bosianu Astronomical Observatory occupies a striking 19th-century house in Bucharest, Romania, and has served as an astronomical and meteorological research site for over a century.

About Bosianu Astronomical Observatory

The observatory is housed in the Bosianu House, built in 1859 in the Romantic style with an distinctive octagonal design by architect Luigi Lipizer. The Meteorological and Astronomical Observatory itself was formally founded in 1908 by Minister Spiru Haret, and was directed by astronomer Nicolae C. Coculescu from 1908 to 1937.

History

In 1958 a Sun Dome was added, equipped with Zeiss telescopes, and later upgraded with modern CCD cameras. Since 1990, the site has been part of the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy, which also includes observatories in Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara. The building also holds a library of more than 11,000 volumes, reflecting its long research history.

Telescopes & research

The observatory remains active in astrophysical research as part of the Romanian Academy's Astronomical Institute, building on the Zeiss and CCD instrumentation added over the decades.

Location & getting there

Bosianu Astronomical Observatory sits in the Europe region, in the city of Bucharest, Romania. Use the map and directions button on this page to plan your visit.

Visiting Bosianu Astronomical Observatory

As a heritage site and working research institute, check with the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy for current public access and any scheduled open events before travelling.

See your named star from here

A named star comes with the exact coordinates astronomers use to locate any object in the sky, the same kind of positional data that has guided work at Bosianu since its Zeiss telescopes were installed. Browse the star catalogue to see stars named near Bucharest.