observatory

a building designed and equipped to observe astronomical phenomena a structure commanding a wide view of its surroundings

]]An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial and/or celestial events. Astronomy, astrology, climatology, geology, meteorology and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed. Historically, observatories were as simple as containing a sextant (for measuring the distance between starstars) or Stonehenge (which has some alignments on astronomical phenomena). Modern astronomical observatories typically contain one or more permanently mounted telescopes contained in buildings with a rotating or removable dome. Beginning in the 1940's, radio telescopes were built and began to detect significant radio sources in the universe. Such an instrument, or a collection of them, with outbuildings for such things as control centres, data reduction centers, and maintenance are called radio observatories. Some of the major ones are at Jodrell Bank in England, Arecibo ObservatoryArecibo, Puerto Rico, Parkes ObservatoryParkes in N.S.W., Australia, Socorro, in NM, U.S.A., Mauna Kea ObservatoryMauna Kea, HI, USA, and Kokino in Macedonia. The largest observatory in the equatorial belt is Observatorio Nacional de Llano del Hato in Venezuela. Within the last twenty years, many space observatoryspace-based observatories have been launched, introducing a new use of the term.

See also - Wiktionary

Volcano observatory

Space observatory

Timeline of telescopes, observatories, and observing technology

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Museum of Arts and Sciences
Discover the world in three changing exhibition galleries and the Discovery House, which features fun activities. Explore from your backyard to the universe with daily programs in the Mini-Zoo and planetarium. Also visit the observatory, nature trails, and Museum Store.
http://www.masmacon.com/

Cape Town Property for Sale, Rental and Administration
We are an exclusive Estate Agency Specialising in the Upmarket Areas of the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town
http://www.brooks-and-michaels.com/

Astrophotography
Here you will find a lot of astrophotos.
http://www.airglow.de/

The United States Naval Observatory
The USNO mission is to determine the positions and motions of celestial objects, to provide astronomical data, to measure the Earth's rotation and to maintain the Master Clock for the United States.
http://www.usno.navy.mil/

NASA Earth Observatory
Explore the causes and effects of climatic and environmental change through the use of real satellite data.
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/

European Southern Observatory
An intergovernmental, European organisation for astronomical research, operates astronomical observatories in Chile and has its headquarters in Garching, Germany.
http://www.eso.org/

Griffith Observatory
Observatory is closed to the public until 2005 for major renovations. There are historical facts and photographs available, and information about exhibits and telescopes used before the closure. Renovation information and updates are also provided.
http://www.griffithobs.org/

U.S. Naval Observatory
America's official timekeeper, providing accurate spoken time based on the USNO Atomic Clock, GPS, Loran and Omega time information, U.S. time zone conversions, and other pertinent timekeeping information.
http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/