Union Observatory
Encyclopedia
Union Observatory was an astronomical observatory
located in the suburb Observatory
, Johannesburg
, South Africa
. It bears IAU
code 078.
Known as the Transvaal Observatory in its early years, it became the Republic Observatory in 1961. Well remembered for the quality of its Directors, work done on minor planet
s and the discovery of Proxima Centauri
, growing light pollution
problems in Johannesburg led to its closure in 1971-1972.
At that time the South African government decided to amalgamate all astronomical research into one body, which later became known as the South African Astronomical Observatory
(SAAO); it has its headquarters in Cape Town
and has Sutherland
as its outstation. The main Cape telescopes were moved to Sutherland, and the Radcliffe Observatory
at Pretoria
was also dismantled.
Union Observatory went through a number of name changes:
Its directors were:
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...
located in the suburb Observatory
Observatory, Gauteng
Observatory is a Suburb in Johannesburg’s east ; it borders the suburbs of Cyrildene, Linksfield, and De Wet's Hof. It is named for the Union Observatory established in the early 1900’s . It is also the site of Observatory Ridge, the city’s highest point...
, Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It bears IAU
IAU
IAU may refer to:*International Astronomical Union*International American University*International American University College of Medicine*International Association of Universities*International Association of Ultrarunners...
code 078.
Known as the Transvaal Observatory in its early years, it became the Republic Observatory in 1961. Well remembered for the quality of its Directors, work done on minor planet
Minor planet
An asteroid group or minor-planet group is a population of minor planets that have a share broadly similar orbits. Members are generally unrelated to each other, unlike in an asteroid family, which often results from the break-up of a single asteroid...
s and the discovery of Proxima Centauri
Proxima Centauri
Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf star about 4.2 light-years distant in the constellation of Centaurus. It was discovered in 1915 by Robert Innes, the Director of the Union Observatory in South Africa, and is the nearest known star to the Sun, although it is too faint to be seen with the naked eye...
, growing 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:...
problems in Johannesburg led to its closure in 1971-1972.
At that time the South African government decided to amalgamate all astronomical research into one body, which later became known as the South African Astronomical Observatory
South African Astronomical Observatory
South African Astronomical Observatory is the national center for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. It was established in 1972. The observatory is run by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. The facility's function is to conduct research in astronomy and astrophysics...
(SAAO); it has its headquarters in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
and has Sutherland
Sutherland, Northern Cape
- External links :* * *...
as its outstation. The main Cape telescopes were moved to Sutherland, and the Radcliffe Observatory
Radcliffe Observatory
Radcliffe Observatory was the astronomical observatory of Oxford University from 1773 until 1934, when the Radcliffe Trustees sold it and erected a new observatory in Pretoria, South Africa. It is a grade I listed building.- History :...
at Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
was also dismantled.
Union Observatory went through a number of name changes:
- Transvaal Meteorological Department 1903 – 1909
- Transvaal Observatory 1909 – 1912
- Union Observatory 1912 – 1961
- Republic Observatory 1961 – 1971
Its directors were:
- Robert Innes 1903–1927
- Harry Edwin WoodHarry Edwin WoodHarry Edwin Wood was an English astronomer.Wood was born in Manchester, England, graduating from Manchester University in 1902 with first class honours in physics, going on to gain an M.Sc in 1905...
1927–1941 - Willem Hendrik van den BosWillem Hendrik van den BosWillem Hendrik van den Bos was a Dutch-South African astronomer. At least one source refers to him as Van der Bos, but this seems to be an error....
1941–1956 - William Stephen FinsenWilliam Stephen FinsenWilliam Stephen Finsen was a South African astronomer.He discovered a number of double stars and took many photographs of Mars. He developed the Finsen eyepiece interferometer to measure very close double stars...
1957–1965 - Jan Hers 1965–1971