Natal Observatory, Historic astronomical observatory in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
The Natal Observatory contained a Grubb equatorial refracting telescope and meteorological instruments for conducting astronomical and weather observations between 1882 and 1911.
British astronomer Edmund Neville Nevill directed the observatory and successfully observed the transit of Venus on December 4, 1882 while studying lunar motion.
The observatory staff included Mabel Grant, who performed astronomical calculations before becoming a prominent figure in South African tennis.
The research conducted at Natal Observatory led to the development of tidal tables for Durban Harbour, supporting maritime navigation in the region.
After its closure in 1911, the observatory equipment was transferred to the Union Observatory in Johannesburg and reopened briefly during the 1920s.
GPS coordinates: -29.84639,31.00492
Latest update: March 2, 2025 23:20
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