Boyden Observatory, Astronomical observatory in Maselspoort, South Africa
The Boyden Observatory features a 60-inch Cassegrain reflector telescope and a 40-centimeter robotic telescope on Boyden Hill, 26 kilometers east of Bloemfontein.
Harvard University established the observatory in Peru in 1889 before relocating it to South Africa in 1927 due to superior astronomical observation conditions.
The Physics Department of the University of the Free State manages the facility, providing astronomical research opportunities and educational programs for local schools.
Visitors can schedule tours and observation sessions through the Friends of Boyden Society, with optimal stargazing conditions occurring between May and August.
The observatory discovered four asteroids in 1966 and maintains South Africa's third-largest telescope, enabling clear views of the Southern Hemisphere's Milky Way.
Location: Free State
Inception: 1889
Elevation above the sea: 1,372 m
Website: http://www.assabfn.co.za/friendsofboyden/boyden.htm
Website: http://assabfn.co.za/friendsofboyden/boyden.htm
GPS coordinates: -29.03883,26.40472
Latest update: March 18, 2025 07:52
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