City Observatory, Astronomical observatory on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland
The neoclassical observatory complex includes the Playfair Building, Observatory House, and multiple telescope domes situated at the summit of Calton Hill.
William Henry Playfair designed the main building in 1818 to replace Thomas Short's octagonal structure from 1776, serving as Edinburgh's primary astronomical center.
The observatory regulated Edinburgh's public clocks and provided precise time measurements for ships navigating the Firth of Forth until 1896.
The observatory now operates as Collective, a contemporary art center with exhibitions, event spaces, and a restaurant following extensive renovations completed in 2018.
Professor Thomas Henderson discovered the method for measuring stellar parallax and calculated the distance to Alpha Centauri while working as the first Astronomer Royal.
Location: City of Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh Airport
GPS coordinates: 55.95500,-3.18355
Latest update: May 17, 2025 10:26
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