Madras Observatory

Madras Observatory is an astronomical facility in Chennai designed to track celestial movements and gather sky data. The main building was compact and purposefully built to hold telescopes and measuring instruments on solid foundations.

The observatory was founded at the end of the 18th century and began as a private research facility before coming under the control of a major trading company. It later became part of the broader scientific effort to map and study India's skies with more precise methods.

You can see where important celestial catalogues were created and understand the scientific work that took place here. The buildings show how people once observed the sky and what tools they needed for their studies.

The site is located in the city and is reachable by public transport, requiring normal mobility to get around the grounds. Best visited on clear days to see the historical buildings and their layout clearly without glare or poor visibility.

During its peak years, dozens of celestial bodies were discovered at this location and remain recorded in astronomy databases today. These discoveries show how a single observation post with good instruments could contribute major findings about the sky.

Location: Chennai

Inception: 1786

GPS coordinates: 13.06806,80.24667

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:01