Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory
Encyclopedia
The Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory (also the Heyden Observatory and Francis J. Heyden Observatory) was founded in 1841 by Father James Curley
of the Department of Physics at Georgetown College
. Father Curley chose a site on the College grounds, planned the building and supervised its construction to its completion in 1844. Costs were initially supported by Rev. Thomas Meredith Jenkins, S.J., and Rev. Charles H. Stonestreet, S.J., who were Georgetown professors at the time. The Observatory was used in 1846 to determine the latitude
and longitude
of Washington, D.C.
, which Curley determined to be longitude 38°54′26N and latitude 5h8m18.29s.
In 1850, Benedict Sestini
used the Observatory to make a series of sunspot
drawings, which were engraved and published (44 plates) as "Appendix A" of the Naval Observatory
volume for 1847, printed in 1853. In 1888, Johann Georg Hagen
was named director. In 1928, Paul McNally
became director. Francis J. Heyden, S.J. became director in 1945, and continued research into solar eclipse
s. In 1972 the Department of Astronomy was closed, and with it the Observatory, which was renamed for Father Heyden, fell out of use. Light pollution
from surrounding Washington, D.C.
has limited viewing celestial bodies from the location.
On July 2, 1973, the Observatory was named to the National Register of Historic Places
. The Georgetown University Astronomical Society has, with support of Department of Physics and Georgetown University, periodically sponsored renovation of the Heyden Observatory, which is now primarily used by the Laboratory of Entomology and Biodiversity. The Heyden Memorial Garden is on the east and north sides of the Observatory. The Garden has flowers, fountains, ponds, and trees. The plants are native and nonnative species. In 1989, as part of GU's bicentennial celebration, Professor Donald M. Spoon, who had a lab in the Observatory at the time, organized the dedication of the garden. Father Heyden attended the ceremony. At the time, the garden was full of hundreds of Iris species and cultivars, including new ones that Professor Spoon bred.
James Curley (astronomer)
James Curley was an Irish-American astronomer.He was born at Athleague, County Roscommon, Ireland. His early education was limited, though his talent for mathematics was discovered, and to some extent developed, by a teacher in his native town...
of the Department of Physics at Georgetown College
Georgetown College (Georgetown University)
Georgetown College, infrequently Georgetown College of Arts and Sciences, is the oldest school within Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The College is the largest undergraduate school at Georgetown, and until the founding of the Medical School in 1850, was the only higher education division...
. Father Curley chose a site on the College grounds, planned the building and supervised its construction to its completion in 1844. Costs were initially supported by Rev. Thomas Meredith Jenkins, S.J., and Rev. Charles H. Stonestreet, S.J., who were Georgetown professors at the time. The Observatory was used in 1846 to determine the latitude
Latitude
In geography, the latitude of a location on the Earth is the angular distance of that location south or north of the Equator. The latitude is an angle, and is usually measured in degrees . The equator has a latitude of 0°, the North pole has a latitude of 90° north , and the South pole has a...
and longitude
Longitude
Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is an angular measurement, usually expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds, and denoted by the Greek letter lambda ....
of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, which Curley determined to be longitude 38°54′26N and latitude 5h8m18.29s.
In 1850, Benedict Sestini
Benedict Sestini
Benedict Sestini was a Jesuit astronomer, mathematician and architect, who worked in Italy and the US.-Career:...
used the Observatory to make a series of sunspot
Sunspot
Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the photosphere of the Sun that appear visibly as dark spots compared to surrounding regions. They are caused by intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection by an effect comparable to the eddy current brake, forming areas of reduced surface temperature....
drawings, which were engraved and published (44 plates) as "Appendix A" of the Naval Observatory
United States Naval Observatory
The United States Naval Observatory is one of the oldest scientific agencies in the United States, with a primary mission to produce Positioning, Navigation, and Timing for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Department of Defense...
volume for 1847, printed in 1853. In 1888, Johann Georg Hagen
Johann Georg Hagen
Johann Georg Hagen was an eminent American astronomer and Catholic priest.-Early life:Johann Georg Hagen was born in Bregenz, Austria. He was the son of a school teacher.-Entering the Jesuit Order:...
was named director. In 1928, Paul McNally
Paul McNally
Paul A. McNally was an American astronomer and a Jesuit priest.In 1928 he became the director of the Georgetown Observatory, and he led research that was focused on solar eclipses. He was a professor of astronomy at Georgetown University, and later became Vice President at the institution...
became director. Francis J. Heyden, S.J. became director in 1945, and continued research into solar eclipse
Solar eclipse
As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun as viewed from a location on Earth. This can happen only during a new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth. At least...
s. In 1972 the Department of Astronomy was closed, and with it the Observatory, which was renamed for Father Heyden, fell out of use. Light pollution
Light pollution
Light pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is excessive or obtrusive artificial light.The International Dark-Sky Association defines light pollution as:...
from surrounding Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
has limited viewing celestial bodies from the location.
On July 2, 1973, the Observatory was named to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The Georgetown University Astronomical Society has, with support of Department of Physics and Georgetown University, periodically sponsored renovation of the Heyden Observatory, which is now primarily used by the Laboratory of Entomology and Biodiversity. The Heyden Memorial Garden is on the east and north sides of the Observatory. The Garden has flowers, fountains, ponds, and trees. The plants are native and nonnative species. In 1989, as part of GU's bicentennial celebration, Professor Donald M. Spoon, who had a lab in the Observatory at the time, organized the dedication of the garden. Father Heyden attended the ceremony. At the time, the garden was full of hundreds of Iris species and cultivars, including new ones that Professor Spoon bred.
List of Directors
- James CurleyJames Curley (astronomer)James Curley was an Irish-American astronomer.He was born at Athleague, County Roscommon, Ireland. His early education was limited, though his talent for mathematics was discovered, and to some extent developed, by a teacher in his native town...
(1843) - Johann Georg HagenJohann Georg HagenJohann Georg Hagen was an eminent American astronomer and Catholic priest.-Early life:Johann Georg Hagen was born in Bregenz, Austria. He was the son of a school teacher.-Entering the Jesuit Order:...
(1888) - Edward C. Phillips
- Paul McNallyPaul McNallyPaul A. McNally was an American astronomer and a Jesuit priest.In 1928 he became the director of the Georgetown Observatory, and he led research that was focused on solar eclipses. He was a professor of astronomy at Georgetown University, and later became Vice President at the institution...
(1928) - Francis J. Heyden (1948)