Madhava Observatory

Madhava Observatory is an astronomical observatory established by the University of Calicut in India, and it is the largest observatory operated at the university level anywhere in the country.

About Madhava Observatory

The observatory was set up in 2005 in association with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bangalore. It is named after Madhava of Sangamagrama (c. 1340–c. 1425), founder of the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics and considered one of the greatest mathematician-astronomers of the Middle Ages.

History

Madhava Observatory was founded in 2005 through a partnership between the University of Calicut and the IIA in Bangalore, reflecting a modern effort to build significant observational capacity at Indian university level.

Telescopes & research

The observatory's 6.6-metre hemispherical dome has a 1.75-metre slit opening on a wheel assembly, housing a 14-inch Meade Cassegrain telescope. It also holds an 18-inch NGT reflector telescope, a gift from the IIA in Bangalore, along with a dedicated computer facility for data collection and analysis. Faculty and staff of the university use the observatory for study and research.

Location & getting there

Madhava Observatory is located on the University of Calicut campus in Kerala, in southern India.

Visiting Madhava Observatory

As a university research and teaching facility, access is generally organised around the university's academic activities. Check with the University of Calicut for current visiting arrangements before travelling.

See your named star from here

An observatory built to honour one of history's great mathematician-astronomers is a fitting place to picture your own named star: give its coordinates to a telescope like the ones at Madhava, and it can be found. Name a star and browse the catalogue for its listing.