List of astronomical observatories explained

Legend
Space observatory
Airborne observatory
Radio observatory
Microwave observatory
Ground-based observatory
Solar observatory
Neutrino detector
Cosmic-ray observatory
This is a partial list of astronomical observatories ordered by name, along with initial dates of operation (where an accurate date is available) and location. The list also includes a final year of operation for many observatories that are no longer in operation. While other sciences, such as volcanology and meteorology, also use facilities called observatories for research and observations, this list is limited to observatories that are used to observe celestial objects.

Astronomical observatories are mainly divided into four categories: space-based, airborne, ground-based, and underground-based.

Many modern telescopes and observatories are located in space to observe astronomical objects in wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum that cannot penetrate the Earth's atmosphere (such as ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays) and are thus impossible to observe using ground-based telescopes.[1] Being above the atmosphere, these space observatories can also avoid the effects of atmospheric turbulence that plague ground based telescopes, although new generations of adaptive optics telescopes have since then dramatically improved the situation on the ground. The space high vacuum environment also frees the detectors from the ancestral diurnal cycle due to the atmospheric blue light background of the sky, thereby increasing significantly the observation time.

An intermediate variant is the airborne observatory, specialised in the infrared wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, that conduct observations above the part of the atmosphere containing water vapor that absorbs them, in the stratosphere.

Historically, astronomical observatories consisted generally in a building or group of buildings where observations of astronomical objects such as sunspots, planets, asteroids, comets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies in the visible wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum were conducted. At first, for millennia, astronomical observations have been made with naked eyes. Then with the discovery of optics, with the help of different types of refractor telescopes and later with reflector telescopes. Their use allowed to dramatically increase both the collecting power and limit of resolution, thus the brightness, level of detail and apparent angular size of distant celestial objects allowing them to be better studied and understood. Following the development of modern physics, new ground based facilities have been constructed to conduct research in the radio and microwave wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, with radio telescopes and dedicated microwave telescopes.

Modern astrophysics has extended the field of study of celestial bodies to non-electromagnetic vectors, such as neutrinos, neutrons and cosmic-rays or gravitational waves. Thus new types of observatories have been developed. Interferometers are at the core of gravitational wave detectors. In order to limit the natural or artificial background noise, most particle detector based observatories are built deep underground.

Observatories

NameEstablishedLocation
Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory1932Abastumani, Georgia
Abu Reyhan-e Birooni Observatory1976Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Adirondack Public ObservatoryTupper Lake, New York, US
Aditya-L12023Sun-Earth L1
Adolphson Observatory2013Monmouth, Illinois, US
Airdrie Public Observatory1896Airdrie, Scotland, UK
Aker Observatory1995Safford, Arizona, US
Aldershot Observatory1906Aldershot, Hampshire, England, UK
Algonquin Radio Observatory1959Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Allegheny Observatory1859Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Ametlla de Mar Observatory1992l'Ametlla de Mar, Catalonia, Spain
AMiBA2006Mauna Loa, Hawaii, US
Anderson Mesa Station1959Flagstaff, Arizona, US
Andrushivka Astronomical Observatory2001Andrushivka, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine
Angell Hall Observatory1927Ann Arbor, Michigan, US
Ankara University Observatory1963Gölbaşı, Ankara, Turkey
Antarctic Muon and Neutrino Detector Array2002Antarctica
Antarctic Submillimeter Telescope and Remote Observatory1994–2005Antarctica
ANTARES2008In the Mediterranean Sea near Toulon, France
Apache-Sitgreaves Observatory2005Overgaard, Arizona, US
Apache Point Observatory1985Sunspot, New Mexico, US
Apatity Cosmic-Ray StationApatity, Russia
Apollo Observatory1969Dayton, Ohio, US
Arcetri ObservatoryArcetri, Florence, Italy
1963Arecibo, Puerto Rico, US
Argentine Institute of Radio Astronomy1966Berazategui Partido, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Armagh Observatory1790Armagh, UK
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences1954Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
Ashton Observatory1983Baxter, Iowa, US
Asiago Astrophysical Observatory1942Asiago, Italy
Assheton Observatory1860Lancashire, UK
Astron (defunct)1983–1989Highly eccentric Earth orbit
Astronomical Observatory Aurora2011Hechingen, Germany
Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon1867Lisbon, Portugal
Astronomy Centre1982Todmorden, England
Astronomy Tower of the Sorbonne1885–1909 (only for amateur use since 1980)Paris, France
Astrophysical Institute Potsdam1992Potsdam, Germany
Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX)2003Llano de Chajnantor Observatory, Chile
Australia Telescope Compact Array1988Narrabri, Australia
Australian Astronomical Observatory1971Coonabarabran, Australia
Badlands Observatory2000Quinn, South Dakota, US
Baikal Deep Underwater Neutrino Telescope1993Baikal Lake, Russia
Bangladesh Astronomical Observatory 2015Dhaka, Bangladesh
Baker Observatory1980Marshfield, Missouri, US
Baksan Neutrino Observatory1977Prielbrusye, Baksan Valley, Russia
Ball State University ObservatoryMuncie, Indiana, US
Barnard Observatory (defunct)1859Oxford, Mississippi, US
Bareket Observatory1990Maccabim, Israel
Barnett Observatory1960Chesterfield, England, UK
Bayfordbury Observatory1969Hertfordshire, England, UK
Behlen Observatory1972Mead, Nebraska, US
Beijing Astronomical Observatory1958Beijing, China
Beijing Ancient Observatory1442Beijing, China
Belgrade Observatory1887Belgrade, Serbia
Belogradchik Observatory1961Belogradchik, Bulgaria
Benmore Peak Observatory1996Mackenzie Basin, South Island, New Zealand
BeppoSAX (defunct)1996–2003Low Earth orbit
Bergisch Gladbach ObservatoryBergisch Gladbach, Germany
Berlin Observatory1711Germany
Besançon Observatory1882Besançon, France
Bidston Observatory1849Bidston, England, UK
Big Bear Lake Solar Observatory1969Big Bear City, California, US
Bisdee Tier Optical Astronomy Observatory2010Bisdee Tier, Spring Hill, Tasmania, Australia
Black Moshannon Observatory (defunct)1972Pennsylvania, US
Blackett Observatory1930sWiltshire, England, UK
Blue Mesa Observatory (defunct)1967New Mexico, US
Boambee Observatory1987Boambee, New South Wales, Australia
Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory (BOAO)1996Youngchun, South Korea
BOOTES1985Spain
Bordeaux Observatory1878Floirac, France
Bosscha Observatory1923Lembang, West Java, Indonesia
Boswell Observatory (defunct)1883Crete, Nebraska, US
Bowman Observatory1940Greenwich, Connecticut, US
Boyden Observatory1889Bloemfontein, South Africa
Bradstreet Observatory1996St. Davids, Pennsylvania, US
Bradley Observatory1950Decatur, Georgia, US
Braeside Observatory (defunct)1976Flagstaff, Arizona, US
Brera Observatory1764Milan, Italy
Bridgewater State University Observatory2012Bridgewater, Massachusetts, US
Brooks ObservatoryToledo, Ohio, US
Brooks Astronomical Observatory1964Mount Pleasant, Michigan, US
Brorfelde ObservatoryHolbæk, Denmark
Bucharest Astronomical Observatory1910Bucharest, Romania
Bucknell ObservatoryLewisburg, Pennsylvania, US
Burrell Memorial Observatory1940Berea, Ohio, US
Byurakan Observatory1946Mount Aragats, Armenia
Cagigal Observatory1888Caracas, Venezuela
Cagliari Observatory1899Cagliari, Sardinia
Calais Observatory (defunct)1857Calais, Maine
Calar Alto Observatory1975Almería, Spain
Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (defunct)1986Mauna Kea, Hawaii, US
Cambridge Observatory1823Cambridge, UK
Camille Flammarion Observatory1883Juvisy-sur-Orge, France
Campbelltown Rotary Observatory2000Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
Campo Imperatore Near-Earth Object Survey2001Campo Imperatore, Italy
Canopus Hill ObservatoryHobart, Tasmania, Australia
Capilla Peak ObservatoryAlbuquerque, New Mexico, US
Capodimonte Observatory1812Naples, Italy
Carter Observatory1937Wellington, New Zealand
Catania Astrophysical ObservatoryCatania, Italy
Cawthron Atkinson Observatory1883Nelson, New Zealand
Celestial ObservatoryRussellville, Arkansas, US
Centennial Observatory2004Twin Falls, Idaho, US
Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian1973Cambridge, Massachusetts, US
Cerro Armazones Observatory1995Atacama Desert, Chile
Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory1962Atacama Desert, Chile
Cerro Pachón Observatory2000Atacama Desert, Chile
Chabot Space & Science Center1883Oakland, California, US
Chamberlin Observatory1890Denver, Colorado, US
Changchun Astronomical ObservatoryChangchun, Jilin Province, China
Chandra X-ray Observatory1999Highly eccentric Earth orbit
Chianti Polifunctional Observatory2013San Donato in Poggio, Florence, Italy
Chico Community Observatory2001Chico, California, US
Chilbolton Observatory1967Chilbolton, UK
Cima Ekar Observing Station1966Asiago, Italy
Cincinnati Observatory1843Cincinnati, Ohio, US
City Observatory, Edinburgh1818Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Clarke Observatory1897 / 1923Dunkirk, New York / Alliance, Ohio, US
Class of 1951 Observatory1997Poughkeepsie, New York, US
Cloudcroft Observatory (defunct)1962New Mexico, US
Coats Observatory1883Paisley, Scotland, UK
Coit ObservatoryBoston, Massachusetts, US
Collins Observatory2003Corning, New York, US
Collm ObservatoryLeipzig, Germany
Colombo University Observatory1920sColombo, Sri Lanka
Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (defunct)1991–2000Low earth orbit
ÇOMÜ Ulupınar Observatory2002Çanakkale, Turkey
Concordia College ObservatoryMoorhead, Minnesota, US
Consell Observatory1987Majorca, Spain
Copenhagen University Observatory1861Copenhagen, Denmark
Cordell–Lorenz ObservatorySewanee, Tennessee, US
COROT2006Polar orbit
Cosmic Background Imager (CBI) (defunct)1999Llano de Chajnantor Observatory, Chile
Côte d'Azur Observatory1988France
Crane ObservatoryTopeka, Kansas, US
Crawford Observatory1880Cork, Ireland
Creighton University Observatory (defunct)1886–1955Omaha, Nebraska, US
Crimean Astrophysical Observatory1945Nauchnyi, Crimea
Črni Vrh Observatory1975Idrija, Slovenia
Cupillari ObservatoryLa Plume, Pennsylvania, US
Custer Observatory1927Southold, New York, US
The Cyprus Planetarium & Observatory2023Nicosia, Cyprus
Daniel S. Schanck Observatory (defunct)1865Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, US
Daniel Scholl Observatory (defunct)1886–1966Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US
Daocheng Solar Radio Telescope 2022Daocheng County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China.
Dark Sky Observatory1981Phillips Gap, Wilkes County, North Carolina, US
Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE)2015500 km LEO
Darling's Observatory (defunct)1917Duluth, Minnesota, US
Dearborn Observatory1889Evanston, Illinois, US
Detroit Observatory1854Ann Arbor, Michigan, US
David Dunlap Observatory1935Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Dome CAntarctica
Dominion Observatory1905Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory1918Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory1960Kaleden, British Columbia, Canada
Dunsink Observatory1785Dublin, Ireland
Durham University Observatory1839Durham, UK
Dyer Observatory1953Brentwood, Tennessee, US
Effelsberg 100-m Radio Telescope1972Bonn, Germany
Ege University Observatory1965Kemalpaşa, İzmir, Turkey
Einstein Probe2024Low Earth orbit
Einstein Observatory (defunct)1978Low Earth orbit
Elginfield Observatory1969Middlesex Centre, Ontario, Canada
Ellis Observatory2004Sterling Hill Mining Museum, Ogdensburg, New Jersey, US
Embry-Riddle Observatory2005Daytona Beach, Florida, US
Eskdalemuir Observatory1908Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK
,
Euclid Telescope2023Earth–Sun Lagrangian point
European Southern Observatory 1962
  • 1969
  • 1989
  • 2005
  • 1998
  • 1999
  • 2026
Atacama Desert, Chile
Fabra Observatory1906Barcelona, Spain
Fan Mountain Observatory1966Albemarle County, Virginia, US
Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope2013Duyun, Pingtang County, Guizhou Province, China
Félix Aguilar Observatory1965San Juan, Argentina
Fernbank ObservatoryAtlanta, Georgia, US
Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope2008Orbit
Fick Observatory1966Boone, Iowa, US
Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory (defunct)1976–2011New Salem, Massachusetts, US
Flarestar ObservatorySan Gwann, Malta
Foggy Bottom Observatory1951Hamilton, New York, US
Foothill ObservatoryLos Altos Hills, California, US
Ford Observatory1998Ithaca, New York, US
Fox ObservatorySunrise, Florida, US
Fox Park Public Observatory1999Potterville, Michigan, US
Francis Marion University Observatory1982Florence, South Carolina, US
Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory1968Mount Hopkins, Arizona, US
Fremont Peak Observatory1986San Juan Bautista, California, US
Frosty Drew Observatory1980sCharlestown, Rhode Island, US
Fuertes Observatory1917Ithaca, New York, US
Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX)2003Caltech, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California, US
Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory1276Dengfeng, Henan, China
Gauribidanur Radio Observatory1976Gauribidanur, Karnataka, India
Gemini Observatory1999Southern Operations Center: La Serena, Chile; Northern Operations Center: Hilo, Hawaii, US
George Observatory1989Brazos Bend State Park, near Houston, Texas, US
Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT)1995Pune, Maharashtra, India
Gifford Observatory1912Wellington, New Zealand
Girawali Observatory2006Pune, Maharashtra, India
Glen D. Riley Observatory1973Naperville, Illinois, US
Godlee Observatory1902Manchester, England, UK
Goodsell Observatory1887Northfield, Minnesota, US
Goethe Link Observatory1939Brooklyn, Indiana, US
Goldendale Observatory1973Goldendale, Washington, US
Gornergrat (HFSJG) (defunct)1967–2005Gornergrat, Switzerland
Granat (defunct)1989–1999Highly eccentric Earth orbit
Gran Telescopio Canarias2006Canary Islands, Spain
Grant O. Gale Observatory1984Grinnell, Iowa, US
Green Bank TelescopeGreen Bank, West Virginia, US
Green Point Observatory1961Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia
Grenfell Observatory2012Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Griffith Observatory1935Los Angeles, California, US
Guillermo Haro Observatory1972Cananea, Sonora, Mexico
Gyarah SidiAgra, Uttar Pradesh, India
HALCA (defunct)1997–2005Elliptical Earth-centered orbit
Haleakala ObservatoryMaui, Hawaii, US
Halley Observatory1987Heesch, Netherlands
Hamburg Observatory1803Hamburg, Germany
Hat Creek Radio Observatory1950sShasta County, California, US
Hard Labor Creek ObservatoryAtlanta, Georgia, US
Space Hard X-Ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT)2017550 km LEO
Hartung–Boothroyd Observatory1974Ithaca, New York, US
Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory1961Gauteng, South Africa
Hartwell House1831Hartwell, Buckinghamshire, UK
Harvard College Observatory1839Cambridge, Massachusetts, US
Haute-Provence Observatory1937Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
Haystack Observatory1964Westford, Massachusetts, US
Hector J Robinson Observatory1964Lincoln Park, Michigan, US
Helium and Lead Observatory2012Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Helmos Observatory2007Mount Helmos, Greece
Helsinki University Observatory1834Helsinki/Kirkkonummi, Finland
Herrett Observatory2004Twin Falls, Idaho, US
Herschel Space Observatory2009Earth–Sun L2 point
Hidden Valley Observatory1960sRapid City, South Dakota, US
Hida Observatory, Kyoto University1968Takayama, Gifu, Japan
Heyden Observatory, Georgetown University1844Washington, D.C., US
High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory2015Sierra Negra, Puebla, Mexico
High Energy Stereoscopic System2002Khomas Region, Namibia
Highland Road Park Observatory1997Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US
Hinode2006Low Earth orbit
Hirsch Observatory1942Troy, New York, US
Hobbs Observatory1974Fall Creek, Wisconsin, US
Hoher List Observatory1954Daun, Germany
Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium1954Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Hong Kong Observatory1883Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Hoober Observatory1993Rotherham, UK
Hopkins Observatory1838Williamstown, Massachusetts, US
Howell ObservatoryStarkville, Mississippi, US
Hradec Králové Observatory1961Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
Huairou Solar Observing StationBeijing, China
Hubble Space Telescope1990Low Earth orbit
Huggins Observatory defunct1856London, England, UK
Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory1940London, Ontario, Canada
Hyde Memorial Observatory1977Lincoln, Nebraska, US
IceCube Neutrino Observatory2010Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station
Indian Astronomical Observatory2001Hanle, Ladakh, India
Insperity Observatory2008Humble, Texas, US
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias1975Canary Islands, Spain
INTEGRAL2002Highly eccentric Earth orbit
Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) (defunct)January–November 1983Earth orbit
Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) (defunct)1995–1998Earth orbit
Innsbruck ObservatoryInnsbruck, Austria
IRAM 30m telescope1984Pico Veleta, Spain
IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer1988Gap, Hautes-Alpes, France
Iranian National Observatory2017Mount Gargash, Iran
Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes1979La Palma, Spain
Isasc Roberts' Observatory (defunct)1890Crowborough, UK
Iso-Heikkilä Observatory (defunct)1935 (only amateur use since 1972)Turku, Finland
Constantinople Observatory of Taqi ad-Din1577Constantinople, Turkey
Istanbul University Observatory1936Istanbul, Turkey
Istituto Ricerche Solari Locarno, IRSOL1960Locarno, Switzerland
IXPE2021Earth orbit
Jack C. Davis Observatory2002Carson City, Nevada, US
Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University1792Kraków, Poland
James Clerk Maxwell Telescope1987Mauna Kea, Hawaii, US
James Gregory Telescope1962St. Andrews, UK
James Webb Space Telescope2021Earth–Sun Lagrangian point
James Wylie Shepherd Observatory2009Montevallo, Alabama, US
Jakarta Observatory1968Jakarta, Indonesia
Jantar Mantar1727Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Jena Observatory1962Jena, Germany
Jewett Observatory1953Pullman, Washington, US
Jodrell Bank Observatory1945Cheshire, England, UK
JAC Johor Astronomy2014Johor, Malaysia
Jones Observatory1936Chattanooga, Tennessee, US
Jordan Hall of Science2006Notre Dame, Indiana
Judson B. Coit ObservatoryBoston, Massachusetts, US
KAIRA2011Kilpisjarvi, Finland
Khajeh Nasiredin Observatory~1980Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran
Kamioka Observatory1983Hida, Gifu, Japan
Kanzelhoehe Solar Observatory1943Villach, Austria
Karl Schwarzschild Observatory1960Jena, Germany
Keck Observatory1993Mauna Kea, Hawaii, US
Keeble Observatory1963Ashland, Virginia, US
Keele Observatory1962Keele University, England, UK
Kennon Observatory1939Oxford, Mississippi, US
Kepler Space Observatory2009Earth-trailing heliocentric orbit
Kevola Observatory1963Kevola, Finland
Kielder Observatory2008Kielder Forest, Northumberland, England, UK
King's Observatory (defunct)1769Greater London, England, UK
Kirkwood Observatory1901Bloomington, Indiana, US
Kitami ObservatoryHokkaidō, Japan
Kitt Peak National Observatory1958Tucson, Arizona, US
Kleť Observatory1957České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory1899Palani, Tamil Nadu, India
Konkoly Observatory1871Budapest, Hungary
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center1974Vestal, New York, US
KOSMA observatory1985–2010Gornergrat, Switzerland
Kottamia Astronomical Observatory1964Egypt
Kuffner observatory1884Austria
Kuiper Airborne Observatory (retired)197414 km in the stratosphere
Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University1929Kyoto, Japan
Kvistaberg ObservatorySweden
Kyung Hee Observatory1992Seoul, South Korea
Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Grenoble2001Grenoble, France
Observatorio de La Cañada (La Cañada Observatory)2002Ávila, Spain
Ladd Observatory1891Providence, Rhode Island, US
Lake Afton Public Observatory1979Wichita, Kansas, US
Lamont–Hussey Observatory (defunct)1928Bloemfontein, South Africa
Landessternwarte Heidelberg-Königstuhl1898Königstuhl, Heidelberg, Germany
Landolt Astronomical Observatory1939[2] Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US
La Plata Astronomical Observatory1883La Plata, Argentina
La Silla Observatory1969Atacama Desert, Chile
Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO)2019Daocheng County, Sichuan, China
Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST)2009Xinglong Station, Hebei, China
Large Millimeter TelescopeSierra Negra, Puebla, Mexico
Las Brisas Observatory1979Colorado, US
Las Campanas ObservatoryLa Serena, Chile
Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope2005Global network
Laws Observatory1880Columbia, Missouri, US
Leander McCormick Observatory1885Mount Jefferson, Charlottesville, Virginia, US
Lee Observatory1873American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Leiden Observatory1633Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
Leipzig ObservatoryLeipzig, Germany
Leoncito Astronomical Complex1986Calingasta, San Juan, Argentina
Levenhagen ObservatorySeattle, Washington, US
Lick Observatory1881Mount Hamilton, San Jose, California, US
LightBuckets (commercial observatory)2007Rodeo, New Mexico, US
& , US
Lindheimer Astrophysical Research Center (defunct)1966–1995Evanston, Illinois, US
Llano de Chajnantor Observatory2005Atacama Desert, Chile
Llano del Hato National Astronomical Observatory1975Mérida, Venezuela
Lockyer Technology Centre2010Sidmouth, Devon, England
Long Wavelength Array2010Socorro, New Mexico, US
Longa Vista Observatory2010Itatiba, SP, Brazil
Lowell Observatory 1894
  • 1959
Flagstaff, Arizona, US
Lucknow (King of Oudh's) Observatory 1832–1848Lucknow, India
Lulin Observatory1999Mount Lulin, Taiwan
Lund Observatory1749Lund, Sweden
Luoxue Mountain Cosmic Rays Research Center1953Luoxue Mountain, Yunnan Province, China
Lyon Observatory1878Saint-Genis-Laval, France
Macalester College ObservatorySaint Paul, Minnesota, US
Macfarlane Observatory defunct1757Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Magdalena Ridge Observatory (under construction)2006Socorro County, New Mexico, US
Majorca Observatory1991Majorca, Spain
Malakoff Tower1845Recife, Brazil
Manastash Ridge Observatory1972Ellensburg, Washington, US
Manuel Foster Observatory (defunct)1903Santiago, Chile
Maragheh Observatory1259Maragheh, Iran
Margaret M. Jacoby Observatory1978Warwick, Rhode Island, US
Maria Mitchell Observatory1908Nantucket, Massachusetts, US
Marina Towers Observatory (Not In Use)1989Maritime Quarter, Swansea, Wales, UK
Markree Observatory (defunct)1837County Sligo, Ireland
Marseille ObservatoryMarseille, France
Martz ObservatoryChautauqua County, New York, US
Mauna Kea Observatory1967Mauna Kea, Hawaii, US
Mauna Loa Solar ObservatoryHawaii, US
Maynard F. Jordan Observatory1901Orono, Maine, US
McDonald ObservatoryDavis Mountains, Texas, US
McKim Observatory1884Greencastle, Indiana, US
McMath–Hulbert Solar Observatory1930Lake Angelus, Michigan, US
MDM ObservatoryKitt Peak, Arizona, US
Mead Observatory2001Columbus, Georgia, US
Medicina Radio Observatory1965Medicina, Bologna, Italy
Mees ObservatoryRochester, New York, US
Mehalso ObservatoryErie, Pennsylvania, US
Melbourne Observatory1862Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Melton Memorial Observatory1928Columbia, South Carolina, US
Mendenhall Observatory2002Stillwater, Oklahoma, US
Menke Observatory1994Davenport, Iowa, US
Metsähovi Observatory1966Kirkkonummi, Finland
Meudon Observatory1876Meudon, France
Meyer–Womble Observatory1996Mount Evans, Colorado, US
Michigan State University Observatory1969East Lansing, Michigan, US
Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées
  • Pic du Midi Observatory

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--- :*Laboratoire astrophysique de Toulouse-Tarbes (instruments and computers) http://www.ast.obs-mip.fr/article1.html --->  
  • 1878
  • 1733
Headquarters: Toulouse, France
Milagro1999Los Alamos, New Mexico, Mexico
Miller Observatory1976Maiden, North Carolina, US
Mills Observatory1938Dundee, Scotland, UK
Mind's Eye Observatory IAU W422018Sebastian, Florida, US
MMT Observatory1979Mount Hopkins, Arizona, US
Modine-Benstead Observatory1963Union Grove, Wisconsin, US
Modra Observatory1988Modra, Slovakia
Mohr Observatory (demolished)1765–1780Jakarta, Indonesia
Moletai Astronomical Observatory1969Moletai, Lithuania
Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope (MOST)1960Bungendore, New South Wales, Australia
Mont Mégantic Observatory1978Mont Mégantic, Québec, Canada
Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy
(Oliver Observing Station)
1972
(1984)
Chews Ridge, California &<br />Monterey, California, US
Montevideo National ObservatoryMontevideo, Uruguay,
Moore Observatory1978Oldham County, Kentucky, US
Morgan–Monroe Observatory1966Morgan–Monroe State Forest, Indiana, US
Morris Observatory1973North Manchester, Indiana, US
Morrison ObservatoryFayette, Missouri, US
Moscow Cosmic-Ray StationTroitsk, Russia
Mount Stony Brook Observatory1968Stony Brook, New York, US
Mounds ObservatoryTulsa, Oklahoma, US
Mount Abu InfraRed Observatory1995Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India
Mount Burnett Observatory1972Mount Burnett, Victoria, Australia
Mount Cuba Astronomical ObservatoryGreenville, Delaware, US
Mount Graham International Observatory1993Mount Graham, Arizona, US
Mount John University Observatory1965Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand
Mount Laguna Observatory1968San Diego, California, US
Mount Lemmon ObservatoryTucson, Arizona, US
Mount Pleasant Radio ObservatoryTasmania, Australia
Mount Stromlo Observatory1911Canberra, Australia
Mount Suhora Observatory1987Poland
Mount Wilson Observatory1904Mount Wilson, Los Angeles County, California, US
Mountain Skies Observatory1997Lyman, Wyoming, US
Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory1957Cambridge, England, UK
Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory2012Murchison, Western Australia, Australia
Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory1821Mykolaiv, Mykolaiv Oblast, Ukraine
Nachi-Katsuura ObservatoryNachikatsuura, Wakayama, Japan
Nançay Radio Telescope1965Nançay, France
Nanjing Astronomical Instruments Research Centre1958Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
National Astronomical Observatory (Colombia)1803Bogotá, Colombia
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan1988Headquarters: Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
National Astronomical Observatory (Mexico)1967Sierra San Pedro Mártir, Baja California, Mexico
National Observatory (Brazil)1827Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
National Observatory of Athens1842Athens, Greece
National Optical Astronomy Observatory 1982Headquarters: Tucson, Arizona, US
National Optical ObservatoryTurkey
National Radio Astronomy Observatory 1957Headquarters: Charlottesville, Virginia, US
National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG)1903Helwan, Egypt
National Solar Observatory1952Sunspot, New Mexico, US & Kitt Peak, Arizona, US
Naval Research Lab. Radio Sta.Sugar Grove, West Virginia, US
Naylor Observatory1971Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, US
Neuchâtel Observatory1858Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Nice Observatory1879Nice, France
Nieuwland Hall (Napoleon III Telescope)1959Notre Dame, Indiana
Nizamia Observatory1907Hyderabad, India
Nordic Optical Telescope1988Canary Islands, Spain
Norilsk Cosmic-Ray StationNorilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Norman Lockyer Observatory1912Sidmouth, UK
Northern Arizona University ObservatoryFlagstaff, Arizona, US
Northern Skies Observatory2009Peacham, Vermont, US
Northolt Branch Observatory2015London, England, UK
Northolt Branch Observatory 2, Shepherd's Bush2016London, England, UK
Northolt Branch Observatory 3, Blandford Forum2017London, England, UK
North Georgia Astronomical ObservatoryDahlonega, Georgia, US
North Otago Astronomical Society ObservatoryOamaru, South Island, New Zealand
Nyrölä Observatory1997Jyväskylän maalaiskunta, Western Finland Province, Finland
OAC (Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba)1871Córdoba, Argentina
OAO (Observatorio de Aras de los Olmos)2008Aras de los Olmos, Valencia, Spain
O'Brien Observatory1961Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota, US
Observatoire du Pic de Château-Renard1974Saint-Véran, France
Observatorio Astronómico Nacional (Colombia)1803Bogotá, Colombia
Observatorio Astronomico Nacional Tonantzintla1961Tonantzintla, Mexico
Observatorio Solar Carl Sagan2000Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Observatory House (defunct)1789Slough, UK
Observatory of the rue Serpente (defunct)1890–1968Paris, France
Oil Region Astronomical ObservatoryVenango County, Pennsylvania, US
Onan Observatory1990Norwood Young America, Minnesota, US
Ondokuz Mayıs University Observatory2006Samsun, Turkey
Ondřejov Observatory1898Ondřejov, Czech Republic
Onsala Space Observatory1949Onsala, Sweden
Ooty Radio Telescope1970Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
Orchard Hill Observatory1965Amherst, Massachusetts, US
Orioloromano Observatory2007Oriolo Romano, Italy
Orion 1 (defunct)1971Low Earth orbit
Orion 2 (defunct)1973Low Earth orbit
Orion Ranch Observatory2009Bertram, Texas, US
Orwell Park School Observatory1848Nacton, UK
Ostrowik Observatory1952Ostrowik, Poland
Otter Creek Observatory1995Meade County, Kentucky, US
Oulu Cosmic-Ray StationOulu, Finland
Owens Valley Radio Observatory1958Bishop, California, US
Pachmarhi Array of Cerenkov Telescopes (PACT)1986Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh, India
Palisades-Dows Observatory1987Cedar Rapids, Iowa, US
PAGASA Astronomical Observatory1954Quezon City, Philippines
Palermo Observatory1790Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Palomar Observatory1948Palomar Mountain, California, US
Panzano Observatory1640Bologna, Italy
Paranal Observatory1999Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile
Paris Observatory1667Paris, France
Parkes Observatory1961Parkes, Australia
Paul Robinson Observatory1965High Bridge, New Jersey, US
Peach Mountain Observatory1950Dexter, Michigan, US
Perkins Observatory1931Delaware, Ohio, US
Perth Observatory1896Perth, Australia
Peterberg Observatory1977Saarland, Germany
Pic du Midi Observatory1878Pic du Midi, Pyrenees, France
Pico dos Dias Observatory1981Minas Gerais, Brazil
Piera Observatory1968Barcelona, Spain
Pierre Auger Observatory2004Malargüe, Argentina
Pine Bluff Observatory1958Cross Plains, Wisconsin, US
Pine Mountain Observatory1965Bend, Oregon, US
Pistoia Mountains Astronomical Observatory1990Pian dei Termini (near San Marcello Pistoiese), Italy
Piwnice Ovservatory1945Piwnice near Toruń, Poland
Planetarium and Astronomical Observatory in Grudziądz1972Grudziądz, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland
Pollock Astronomical Observatory2004Hunting Valley, Ohio, US
Portage Lake Observatory (defunct)1948Dexter, Michigan, US
Poznań Observatory1919Poznań, Poland
Prishtina Observatory1997Pristina Municipality, Kosovo
Puckett Observatory1977Ellijay, Georgia, US
Pula Observatory1869Pula, Croatia
Pulkovo Observatory1839Pulkovskiye Heights, Russia
Purple Mountain Observatory1929Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
2018Earth-Moon L2
2024Lunar orbit
Quito Astronomical Observatory1873La Alameda Park, Quito, Ecuador
Radcliffe Observatory1772Oxford, England. Moved to Durban, South Africa in 1939
Rainwater ObservatoryFrench Camp, Mississippi, US
Ralph A. Worley Observatory1964Shreveport, Louisiana, US
Rankin Science Observatory1963Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, US
Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory2018Rancho Mirage, California, US
Rattlesnake Mountain Observatory (defunct)1971Hanford Reach National Monument, Washington, US
Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada (Spain)1793San Fernando, Cádiz, Spain
Red Barn Observatory2006Ty Ty, Georgia, US
Red Buttes Observatory1994Laramie, Wyoming, US
Riley Observatory1974Naperville, Illinois, US
RIT ObservatoryRochester, New York, US
Ritter ObservatoryToledo, Ohio, US
Robert A. Schommer ObservatoryRutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, US
Robert Brownlee ObservatoryLake Arrowhead, California, US
Robinson ObservatoryOrlando, Florida, US
Robotic Lunar Observatory (defunct)1995Flagstaff, Arizona, US
Roger Twitchell Observatory[3] 1972Paris, Maine, US
Rogers Observatory1981Traverse City, Michigan, US
Rolnick ObservatoryWestport, Connecticut, US
Rome ObservatoryItaly
Roseland Observatory1998St Stephen-in-Brannel, UK
Rossall School ObservatoryRossall, UK
Rothney Astrophysical Observatory1984Priddis, Alberta, Canada
Royal Observatory, Greenwich1675Greenwich, England, UK
Royal Observatory, Edinburgh1896Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Roque de los Muchachos Observatory1979 (officially inaugurated in 1985)La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain.
Rosemary Hill ObservatoryBronson, Florida, US
Rozhen Observatory1981Peak Rozhen, Bulgaria.
Rutherford Observatory1920sNew York City, New York, US
San Fernando Observatory (SFO)1976Sylmar, California, US
Sankt Andreasberg Observatory2014Sankt Andreasberg, Germany
Sayan Spectrographic Cosmic Ray ComplexIrkutsk, Russia
SFA Observatory1976Nacogdoches, Texas, US
Sagamore Hill Radio Observatory1963Hamilton, Massachusetts, US
Shattuck Observatory1854Hanover, New Hampshire, US
Sherwood Observatory1972Mansfield, UK
Seven Hills Observatory1996Kearney, Nebraska, US
Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory1958Shamakhi, Azerbaijan
Shanghai Astronomical Observatory1962Shanghai, China
Sherzer Observatory1878Ypsilanti, Michigan, US
Sheshan Astronomical Observatory1900Shanghai, China
Siding Spring Observatory1924Siding Spring, New South Wales, Australia
Sidmouth Observatory1912Sidmouth, Devon, England, UK
Sierra Nevada Observatory1981Sierra Nevada, Spain
Silesian Planetarium and Astronomical Observatory1955Chorzów / Katowice, Silesia, Poland
Simeiz Observatory1906Simeiz, Crimea, Ukraine
Skalnaté Pleso Observatory1953Vysoké Tatry, Slovakia
Skinakas Observatory1984Crete, Greece
Skylab1973low Earth orbit; re-entered in 1979
Smith Observatory1880sBeloit, Wisconsin, US
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory1890Cambridge, Massachusetts, US
Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory1978Sobaeksan, South Korea
Sola Fide Observatory1990sAustin, Minnesota, US
Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)1996Earth–Sun L1 point
Solar Space Telescope2009709 km SSO; life: 3 years
Sommers–Bausch Observatory1949Boulder, Colorado, US
Sonnenborgh Observatory1853Utrecht, Netherlands
Sonoma State Observatory1976Rohnert Park, California, US
South African Astronomical Observatory
  • Cape Town
  • Sutherland
  • 1820
  • 1972
Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope (SOAR)2004Cerro Pachón, Chile
South Pole Telescope2007Antarctica
Spanish National Observatory1790(Spain)
Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences1966Zelenchukskaya, near Arkhyz, Caucasus Mountains, Russia
Sperry Observatory1967Cranford, New Jersey, US
Spitzer Space Telescope2003Heliocentric orbit
Springfield Observatory1968Springfield, Massachusetts, US
Sproul Observatory1911Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, US
Stardome Observatory1967Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
Starkenburg Observatory1970Heppenheim, Germany
Štefánik's Observatory1928Prague, Czech Republic
Stellafane Observatory1920Springfield, Vermont, US
Stellar Vista Observatory2019Kanab, Utah, US
Stephens Memorial Observatory1901Hiram, Ohio, US
Steward Observatory 1916Tucson, Arizona, US
Stickney Observatory[4] 1950sBennington, Vermont, US
Stjerneborg1581Hven, Sweden
Stockholm Observatory1749Stockholm, Sweden
Stokesville Observatory1970sVirginia, US
Stone Observatory1853Stone, Buckinghamshire, UK
Stonyhurst Observatory1838Lancashire, England
Strasbourg Observatory1881Strasbourg, France
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy200614 km in the stratosphere
Stull Observatory1966Alfred, New York, US
Stuttgart Observatory1920Stuttgart, Germany
Submillimeter Array1987Mauna Kea, Hawaii, US
St. Thomas Observatory2009Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
Space Variable Objects Monitor2004Low Earth orbit
Sudbury Neutrino Observatory1999Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Sunriver Observatory1990Sunriver, Oregon, US
Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission2004Low Earth orbit
Swiss Observatory Polychron and Astronomy2019Geneva, Switzerland
Sydney Observatory1858Sydney, Australia
Table Mountain ObservatoryAngeles National Forest, Wrightwood, California, US
Tacubaya Observatory1882Tacubaya, Mexico City, Mexico
Taeduk Radio Astronomy Observatory1986Taejon, South Korea
Tamke-Allan Observatory1998Roane County, Tennessee, US
Tartu Observatory1964Tartumaa, Estonia
Teide Observatory1964Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Ten Acre ObservatoryTribbey, Oklahoma, US
Terskol Peak Observatory1989Terskol, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia
Thai National Observatory2013Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, Thailand
The Dam Observatory2017Lake Tschida, North Dakota, US
The Heights Observatory1989The Heights School, South Australia, Australia
Texas A&M Astronomical ObservatoryCollege Station, Texas, US
Theodore Jacobsen Observatory1895Seattle, Washington, US
Thompson Observatory1968Beloit, Wisconsin, US
Tien Shan Astronomical ObservatoryAlmaty, Kazakhstan
Tuorla Observatory1952Piikkiö, Finland
Trieste ObservatoryTrieste, Italy
Troodos Observatory2023Agridia, Troodos Mountains, Cyprus
Trottier Observatory2015Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
Turin Observatory1759Pino Torinese, Italy
Udaipur Solar ObservatoryUdaipur, Rajasthan, India
Ukrainian T-shaped Radio telescope, second modification1972Shevchenkove, Ukraine
Ulugh Beg Observatory1420sSamarkand, Uzbekistan
University of Alabama Observatory1950Tuscaloosa, Alabama, US
University of Alabama Observatory (Old)1849–1890sTuscaloosa, Alabama, US
University of North Alabama ObservatoryFlorence, Alabama, US
University of Illinois Astronomical Observatory1896Urbana, Illinois, US
University of London Observatory1929London, England, UK
University of Maryland ObservatoryCollege Park, Maryland, US
University of Michigan-Dearborn Observatory2007Dearborn, Michigan, US
University of New Hampshire Observatory1985Durham, New Hampshire, US
University of Oklahoma ObservatoryNorman, Oklahoma, US
University of Puerto Rico at Humacao Observatory[5] 1985Humacao, Puerto Rico, US
University of Valencia Astronomical Observatory1909Valencia, Spain
Uppsala Astronomical Observatory1741Uppsala, Sweden
Urania (Antwerp)Hove, Belgium
Urania (Berlin)Berlin, Germany
Urania (Vienna)1909Vienna, Austria
Urania Observatory (Zürich)1907Zürich, Switzerland
Uraniborg1572–1597 (demolished)Hven, Sweden
Urumqi Astronomical Observatory1957Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO)[6] 1844
  • 1830–1844
  • 1955
Washington, D.C., US
Valongo Observatory1881Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Vainu Bappu Observatory1968Kavalur, Tamil Nadu, India
Astronomical observatory of Aosta Valley2003Nus, Aosta Valley, Italy
Van Vleck Observatory1914Middletown, Connecticut, US
Vanderbilt University ObservatoryNashville, Tennessee, US
Vartiovuori Observatory (defunct)1819–1834Turku, Finland
Vassar College Observatory (defunct)1865Poughkeepsie, New York, US
Vatican Observatory 1891
  • 1993
Headquarters: Castel Gandolfo, Italy
Veen Observatory1970Lowell, Michigan, US
Vega–Bray Observatory1990Benson, Arizona, US
Ventspils Starptautiskais Radioastronomijas CentrsIrbene, Latvia
Vernonia Peak ObservatoryVernonia, Oregon, US
Very Large Array1980Socorro, New Mexico, US
Very Long Baseline Array1993Various locations
Vienna Observatory1753Vienna, Austria
Vilnius University Observatory1753Vilnius University, Lithuania
Višnjan Observatory1978Višnjan, Croatia
Vsetín Observatory1950Vsetín, Czech Republic
Warkworth Radio Observatory2008Warkworth, New Zealand
Warner Observatory (defunct)1882Rochester, New York, US
Warner and Swasey Observatory1919Cleveland, Ohio, US
Warren Rupp Observatory1985Mansfield, Ohio, US
University of Warsaw Observatory1825Warsaw, Poland
Washburn Observatory1881Madison, Wisconsin, US
Wast Hills Observatory1982Birmingham, England, UK
Weaver Student Observatory1998Monterey, California, US
Weitkamp Observatory1955Westerville, Ohio, US
West Mountain Observatory1981West Mountain, Utah, US
Whakatane Astronomical Society1964Whakatāne, New Zealand
Whitin Observatory1901Wellesley, Massachusetts, US
Widener University Observatory2004Chester, Pennsylvania, US
Wilder Observatory1903Amherst, Massachusetts, US
Willard L. Eccles Observatory2009Frisco Peak, Utah, US
William Brydone Jack Observatory1851Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Williams Observatory1990Boiling Springs, North Carolina, US
Winer Observatory1983Sonoita, Arizona, US
Winfree Observatory1900Lynchburg, Virginia, US
Wise Observatory1971Negev, Israel
Witte Observatory1984Mediapolis, Iowa, US
WIYN Observatory1994Kitt Peak, Arizona, US
Wyoming Infrared Observatory1975Laramie, Wyoming, US
Xiangfen Astronomical Observatorydata-sort-value="-2100"2100 BCEXiangfen County, Linfen, Shanxi Province, China
Xinglong Station (NAOC)Xinglong County, Chengde, Hebei province, China[7]
Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory1968Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
XMM-Newton1999Highly eccentric Earth orbit
XRISM2023Earth orbit
XPoSat2024Earth orbit
Xujiahui Astronomical Observatory1872Shanghai, China
Arctic Space Weather CenterYakutsk, Russia
Yale Student ObservatoryNew Haven, Connecticut, US
Yangbajing International Cosmic-Ray ObservatoryYangbajing Valley, Tibet, China
Yantra Mandir1724New Delhi, Delhi, India
Yerevan Cosmic-Ray StationYerevan, Armenia
Yerkes Observatory1897Williams Bay, Wisconsin, US
York University ObservatoryToronto, Ontario, Canada
Yuba City Astronomical Observatory2010Yuba City, California, US
Yunnan Astronomical Observatory1957Kunming, Yunnan, China
Zimmerwald Observatory1956Zimmerwald, Switzerland
Zadko Observatory2009Gingin, Australia

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Chaisson, Eric. McMillan, Steve . Astronomy Today, Fourth Edition. Prentice Hall. 2002.
  2. Web site: September 1, 2022 . History of the Landolt Astronomical Observatory . September 1, 2022 . Louisiana State University Department of Physics & Astronomy.
  3. Web site: Twitchell Observatory MSAD 17 . MSAD17.org . . December 30, 2022.
  4. Web site: Stickney Observatory at Bennington College. Stickney Observatory at Bennington College.
  5. The Humacao University Observatory. Muller. R.J.. Summer 1994. International Amateur-Professional Photoelectric Photometry Communication. 56. 43. 43. 1994IAPPP..56...43M.
  6. Web site: 2016-08-15. Records of the U.S. Naval Observatory. 2021-04-14. National Archives. en.
  7. Web site: Xinglong Observing Station. 2021-03-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20230123094650/http://english.nao.cas.cn/resources/gallery/202103/t20210321_266312.html. 2023-01-23.