N.P. Wieth-Knudsen Observatory

N.P. Wieth-Knudsen Observatory stands on the edge of Tisvilde Hegn forest in Tisvilde, Denmark, roughly two hours from Copenhagen and well clear of the capital's light pollution.

About N.P. Wieth-Knudsen Observatory

The observatory sits at Margot Nyholms vej 19 in Tisvildeleje, on the outskirts of a small residential area away from the artificial light of larger cities. It is today owned and run by the Danish Astronomical Society (Astronomisk Selskab).

History

The observatory was built in 1959 by Dr Niels Palle Wieth-Knudsen (1909-1993), who used it for his own research until his death. His most significant contribution to astronomy came from observing lunar occultations, the moments when the Moon passes in front of a star, using the resulting data to help determine the Moon's precise position, work that proved important during the 1969 Apollo Moon landings. In 1999, his widow Inger Wieth-Knudsen (1914-2004) donated the building to the Danish Astronomical Society, which has run it ever since.

Telescopes & research

The observatory's main instrument is a 16-inch computer-controlled telescope. The grounds also hold two radio telescopes and a series of platforms for smaller instruments, including a dedicated solar telescope. Members of the Danish Astronomical Society continue to use the site for observations on nights outside the public events.

Location & getting there

N.P. Wieth-Knudsen Observatory is in Tisvilde, in the Danish region of North Zealand, next to the Tisvilde Hegn forest. Its position on the edge of a small residential area, roughly two hours from Copenhagen, keeps it relatively free of city light pollution, an advantage for both visual and instrumented observing.

Visiting N.P. Wieth-Knudsen Observatory

The public is welcome at free star-gazing events held on the second and last Saturdays of every month. Further details are available through the Danish Astronomical Society's website, wko.dk.

See your named star from here

Because every star named through Star Register is given exact right ascension and declination, its position can be found from an observatory like this one using nothing more than those two coordinates. Browse the catalogue to find a star, or choose a naming package to name one yourself, then bring the coordinates along to a public night here.