Editing Observatory of Strasbourg

{{Infobox Observatory
|name            = Observatory of Strasbourg
|background      =
|image           = L'observatoire astronomique de Strasbourg (41534417322).jpg
|caption         = Observatory and [[Jardin botanique de l'Université de Strasbourg|botanical garden]] in Strasbourg
|organization    = [[University of Strasbourg]]
|code            = 522
|location        = [[Strasbourg]], [[France]]
|coords          = {{coord|48|35|0|N|7|46|5|E|type:landmark_region:FR|display=inline,title}}
|altitude        = 142 m
|weather         =
|established     = 1881
|closed          =
|website         = [http://astro.u-strasbg.fr/ astro.u-strasbg.fr]
|telescope1_name =
|telescope1_type =
|telescope2_name =
|telescope2_type =
|telescope3_name =
|telescope3_type =
|telescope4_name =
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| map_type      = France Strasbourg
| pushpin_map   = France Strasbourg
}}
The '''Observatory of Strasbourg''' is an astronomical [[observatory]] in [[Strasbourg]], [[France]].

== History ==
This observatory is actually Strasbourg's third observatory: the first was built in 1673 on one of the city's surrounding towers (the astronomer Julius Reichelt notably played a role in its establishment), and the second in 1828 on the roof of the buildings of the Academy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=L'Observatoire astronomique de l'Académie de Strasbourg (XIXe siècle) |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/display2.php/caaah_paper_2.pdf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fastro.u-strasbg.fr%2F%7Eheck%2F%2Fcaaah_paper_2.pdf}}</ref>

Following the [[Franco-Prussian War]] of 1870&ndash;1871, the city of Strasbourg became part of the [[German Empire]]. The  [[University of Strasbourg]] was refounded in 1872, and a new observatory began construction in 1875, in the [[Neustadt (Strasbourg)|Neustadt district]]. The main instrument was a 50&nbsp;cm [[Repsold refractor]], which saw [[first light (astronomy)|first light]] in 1880 (see [[Great refractor]]). At the time this was the largest instrument in the German Empire. In 1881, the ninth General Assembly of the [[Astronomische Gesellschaft]] met in Strasbourg to mark the official inauguration.<ref>
{{cite book
 | first=André | last=Heck
 | year=2005
 | chapter=Strasbourg Observatory and the Astronomische Gesellschaft
 | title=The Multinational History of Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory
 | publisher=Springer
 | pages=221&ndash;222
 | isbn=1-4020-3643-4
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite book
 | first=G. | last=Wolfschmidt
 | year=2005
 | chapter=Strasbourg Observatory in German Times
 | title=The Multinational History of Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory
 | volume=330
 | publisher=Springer
 | pages=63&ndash;87
 | isbn=1-4020-3643-4
 | bibcode=2005ASSL..330...63W
|doi = 10.1007/1-4020-3644-2_2 }}</ref>[[File:Refracting telescope of the Strasbourg observatory.jpg|thumb|left|The refracting telescope inside the dome]]

The observatory site was selected primarily for instruction purposes and political symbolism, rather than the observational qualities. It was a low-lying site that was prone to mists. During the period up until 1914, the staff was too small to work the instruments and so there was little academic research published prior to [[World War I]]. The main observations were of [[comet]]s and [[variable star]]s. After 1909, the instruments were also used to observe [[binary star]]s and perform photometry of [[nebula]]e.<ref>
{{cite book
 | first=Roger | last=Hutchins
 | year=2008
 | title=British University Observatories, 1772–1939
 | page=240
 | publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]
 | isbn=978-0-7546-3250-4
}}</ref>

The observatory is currently the home for the [[Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg]], a database for the collection and distribution of astronomical information. This includes [[SIMBAD]], a reference database for astronomical objects, [[VizieR]], an [[astronomical catalogue]] service and [[Aladin Sky Atlas|Aladin]], an interactive sky atlas. The modern extension of the building used to house the ''Planétarium de Strasbourg'' until 2023, and the opening of a larger and more modern [[planetarium]] in the vicinity. The observatory is surrounded by the [[Jardin botanique de l'Université de Strasbourg]].
In the vaulted basement below the observatory, a university-administered museum is located. Called ''Crypte aux étoiles'' ("star [[crypt]]"), it displays old telescopes and other antique astronomical devices such as clocks and [[theodolite]]s.

== Notable astronomers ==
* [[Agnès Acker]]
* [[Julius Bauschinger]]
* [[Adolf Berberich]]
* [[André-Louis Danjon|André Danjon]]
* [[William Lewis Elkin]]
* [[Ernest Esclangon]]
* [[Ernst Hartwig]]
* [[Carlos Jaschek]]
* [[Pierre Lacroute]]
* [[Otto Tetens]]
* [[Friedrich August Theodor Winnecke|Friedrich Winnecke]]
* [[Carl Wilhelm Wirtz]]
* [[Walter Wislicenus]]
* [[Rodrigo Ibata]]
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== See also ==
* [[List of astronomical observatories]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Strasbourg Observatory}}
*[http://astro.u-strasbg.fr/ Official website of the Observatory]
*[http://planetarium.u-strasbg.fr/ Official website of the Planetarium] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124045356/http://planetarium.u-strasbg.fr/ |date=2011-11-24 }}
*[https://bibnum.obspm.fr/ark:/11287/2f3dP Publications of Strasbourg Observatory] digitalized on [[Paris Observatory]] digital library
{{Portal bar|France|Astronomy|Stars|Spaceflight|Outer space|Solar System|Education|Science}}
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[[Category:University of Strasbourg]]
[[Category:Astronomical observatories in France]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Strasbourg]]
[[Category:Planetaria in France]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg| ]]
[[Category:Museums in Strasbourg]]
[[Category:Science museums in France]]
[[Category:Hermann Eggert buildings]]