Düsseldorf-Bilk Observatory
Encyclopedia
The Sternwarte Düsseldorf (a.k.a. Sternwarte Bilk, Sternwarte Charlottenruhe; Bilk Observatory or Düsseldorf-Bilk Observatory in English) in Düsseldorf-Bilk
was founded in 1843 by Johann Friedrich Benzenberg for private purposes. The observatory's main feature was a refracting telescope
with 1800mm focal length
. After Benzenberg's death the observatory
was bequeathed to the city of Düsseldorf
. It was destroyed by bombing in 1943.
Between 1852–1890, C. Robert Luther discovered 24 asteroid
s there, from Thetis, discovered on April 17, 1852 to Glauke
, discovered February 20, 1890. These asteroids and planetoids are called the 24 Düsseldorf planets.
The asteroid 4425 Bilk
is named in honour of the observatory.
Near its original location, a benchmark was erected, displaying the observatory's burnt-out telescope.
Düsseldorf-Bilk
Bilk, Oberbilk and Unterbilk are parts of Düsseldorf and together with Hamm, Flehe and Volmerswerth they constitute City District 3, which is the most populated district of Düsseldorf with 105,281 inhabitants....
was founded in 1843 by Johann Friedrich Benzenberg for private purposes. The observatory's main feature was a refracting telescope
Refracting telescope
A refracting or refractor telescope is a type of optical telescope that uses a lens as its objective to form an image . The refracting telescope design was originally used in spy glasses and astronomical telescopes but is also used for long focus camera lenses...
with 1800mm focal length
Focal length
The focal length of an optical system is a measure of how strongly the system converges or diverges light. For an optical system in air, it is the distance over which initially collimated rays are brought to a focus...
. After Benzenberg's death the observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
was bequeathed to the city of Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
. It was destroyed by bombing in 1943.
Between 1852–1890, C. Robert Luther discovered 24 asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
s there, from Thetis, discovered on April 17, 1852 to Glauke
288 Glauke
288 Glauke is an asteroid from the asteroid belt discovered by Robert Luther in 1890. It was the last of his asteroid discoveries. It is named after Glauke, a daughter of Creon a king of Corinth in Greek mythology....
, discovered February 20, 1890. These asteroids and planetoids are called the 24 Düsseldorf planets.
The asteroid 4425 Bilk
4425 Bilk
4425 Bilk is a main belt asteroid with an orbital period of 1323.5628901 days . The asteroid was discovered on October 30, 1967.-References:...
is named in honour of the observatory.
Near its original location, a benchmark was erected, displaying the observatory's burnt-out telescope.