Østervold Observatory

The Østervold Observatory is an astronomical facility at the University of Copenhagen with a central dome housing telescopes and adjacent wings for operations. The structure sits on elevated ground and was designed to provide clear sight lines for observing the night sky.

The observatory was established in 1861 on the grounds of a former city fortress after light pollution made the previous site at Rundetårn unsuitable. The new location provided better conditions for scientific observations away from the city's interfering lights.

The observatory served as a gathering place where Copenhagen's scientists studied the sky and shared findings with colleagues around the world. This international cooperation helped Danish astronomy gain recognition within the global scientific community.

The facility is located on the University of Copenhagen campus and is best accessed through the Science Faculty's main administration building. Visitors should contact ahead of time since access depends on institutional hours and scheduled tours.

From 1922 to 1965 Julie Marie Vinter Hansen ran the International Astronomical Union's news service from this observatory. Her work made Danish astronomy a key hub for global scientific communication during that era.

Location: Copenhagen Municipality

Inception: 1861

Architects: Christian Hansen

GPS coordinates: 55.68688,12.57592

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:25