Østervold Observatory

Østervold Observatory, also known as Copenhagen University Observatory, stands on the old city ramparts of Copenhagen, Denmark, where it served as the University of Copenhagen's main observatory from 1861 into the mid-twentieth century.

About Østervold Observatory

The observatory opened in 1861, replacing the university's earlier observatory at the Rundetårn tower. Designed by architect Christian Hansen and built between 1859 and 1861 on a bastion of the old city fortifications, it's a three-winged building topped with a central dome, and carries the IAU observatory code 035.

History

Its main instrument was a 280mm refractor with a 4.9-metre focal length. Under director Heinrich Louis d'Arrest, the observatory produced a catalogue of 1,942 nebulae, giving nearly 4,900 positions, published in 1867. Østervold remained the University of Copenhagen's principal observatory until the 1950s, when observing work shifted to the newer Brorfelde Observatory. The building is now used by the university's Institute for Science Didactics.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits in central Copenhagen, on the Østervold rampart near the city's old fortification ring. Use the map and directions above to find your way there.

Visiting Østervold Observatory

As the building is now used for university teaching rather than public astronomical viewing, check with the University of Copenhagen or search for current information before planning a visit, since opening hours and public access aren't confirmed.

See your named star from here

Heinrich Louis d'Arrest once catalogued thousands of nebulae from this dome by recording their exact positions in the sky, the same kind of coordinates that mark where a star you name through Star Register sits. Name a star or explore the star catalogue.