Toulouse Observatory, Astronomical observatory in Toulouse, France
Toulouse Observatory is an astronomical facility in Toulouse that features several domes, a tower, and outbuildings surrounded by brick walls. The complex preserves its original architecture, including a monumental staircase and a columned portico at the entrance.
The observatory was founded in 1733 by the Academy of Sciences of Toulouse. It was relocated to Jolimont hill in 1841 and moved again in 1981.
The observatory participated in the international Carte du Ciel project, collecting over one thousand photographic plates of the sky between 1887 and 1939. These images were created through systematic observations and continue to be studied by researchers today.
The facility is located on Camille-Flammarion avenue and is easy to reach on foot. Note that certain sections may have restricted access, so it is worth checking conditions before visiting.
In the 1980s, astronomers working here discovered gravitational lensing effects around the galaxy cluster Abel 370. This finding helped reveal how gravity bends light across cosmic distances.
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