Dr. A.F. Philips Observatory

Dr. A.F. Philips Observatory is a public observatory on the edge of Stadswandelpark in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, founded in 1937 with support from the Philips family.

About Dr. A.F. Philips Observatory

The observatory was founded in 1937 as an initiative of the Eindhovense Weer- en Sterrenkundige Kring (EWSK), the local weather and astronomy society, funded by a donation from Anton Philips, then head of the Philips electronics company. A smaller observatory building went up first, in 1936, before the society's larger telescope design was approved by Philips and built in the company's own factory, with the finished observatory completed in 1937.

History

Architect Louis Kalff designed the building, and the rotating dome was built by the firm De Vries Robbé. The observatory opened to the public in 1938 and was designated a national monument in 2001, recognising both its architecture and its place in Eindhoven's history.

Telescopes & research

The observatory's telescope, housed in its rotating dome, lets visitors view distant galaxies and gas nebulae. It remains a non-profit facility, run for the community by volunteers from the EWSK, the same society that founded it nearly nine decades ago.

Location & getting there

Dr. A.F. Philips Observatory sits at the edge of Stadswandelpark in Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, an easily reached, central location within the city.

Visiting Dr. A.F. Philips Observatory

As a public observatory run by volunteers, opening nights are typically scheduled around clear evenings and events; check the EWSK's current programme before visiting to confirm times.

See your named star from here

Since 1938, this Eindhoven dome has helped local visitors see galaxies and nebulae with their own eyes. A star named through Star Register comes with coordinates precise enough for a telescope like this one to find. Browse the star catalogue to choose a star before your visit.