Vatican Observatory, Astronomical observatory in Castel Gandolfo, Vatican State.
The observatory stands at an elevation of 430 meters in the Alban Hills, featuring a dome that houses a Zeiss refracting telescope.
Founded in 1578 to reform the Gregorian calendar, the observatory relocated from Rome to Castel Gandolfo in 1930 to escape urban light pollution.
Jesuit scientists at the observatory conduct astronomical research while maintaining a collection of 1100 meteorites from 500 different locations.
The facility offers guided tours in coordination with the Vatican Museums, allowing visitors to examine astronomical instruments and the meteorite collection.
The center maintains a second research site in Arizona since 1993, equipped with the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope for enhanced observations.
Location: Castel Gandolfo
Inception: 1891
Official opening: 1930
Elevation above the sea: 430 m
Website: https://vaticanobservatory.org
GPS coordinates: 41.74722,12.65056
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:05
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