Cambridge Observatory

Cambridge Observatory is a university observatory at the University of Cambridge featuring classical architecture with a doric portico entrance. The site houses multiple research telescopes and hosts an astronomy library containing thousands of books on related topics.

The observatory was founded in 1823 and merged in 1972 with the Solar Physics Observatory and Institute of Theoretical Astronomy to form the Institute of Astronomy. This consolidation created an integrated facility for modern astronomical research.

The Institute of Astronomy Library, housed in the old observatory building, maintains a collection of 17,000 books covering astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology.

The observatory offers regular public evenings during winter when visitors can attend presentations by institute staff members. These events include telescope observation sessions when weather permits.

The Northumberland Telescope, a 12-inch refractor donated in 1833, remains fully operational and is used during public viewing nights and astronomy society gatherings. This historic instrument gives visitors the rare chance to observe through a telescope nearly 200 years old.