Institute of Astronomy

The Institute of Astronomy of Nicolaus Copernicus University sits in Piwnice, about 15 km north of Toruń, Poland, combining radio and optical astronomy under one roof.

About the Institute of Astronomy

Founded in 1947, the institute was known until 1 October 2019 as the Toruń Centre for Astronomy. It is operated by Nicolaus Copernicus University and located at an elevation of 94 metres near Piwnice.

History

The observatory has been making continuous scientific contributions since its founding, including daily radio measurements of the Sun at 127 MHz using a 23-metre interferometer, a record stretching back to 1958.

Telescopes & research

The site houses two single-dish radio antennas, 32 metres and 15 metres in diameter, alongside the largest Polish optical telescope, a 90 cm Schmidt-Cassegrain camera, plus a 60 cm Cassegrain telescope used for photometry.

Location & getting there

The institute is located in Piwnice, roughly 15 km north of Toruń in Poland, at 94 metres elevation.

Visiting the Institute of Astronomy

Check the institute's official website for current visiting arrangements, as access to a working university research facility is typically more limited than at a dedicated public observatory.

See your named star from here

With both radio and optical instruments trained on the sky, this is a fitting place to think about a named star's exact position. Find its right ascension and declination in the star catalogue.