Uppsala Astronomical Observatory, Astronomical observatory at Uppsala University, Sweden
The Uppsala Astronomical Observatory is the name for the observatories used by Uppsala University's astronomy department. Anders Celsius built the first proper observatory in 1741 on the roof of a medieval stone house in central Uppsala, where he also lived; that rooftop structure was demolished in 1857. The 1853 observatory in Observatorieparken, now called the Old Observatory, still holds a double refractor with 36 cm and 33 cm lenses from Steinheil of Munich, installed in 1892.
Astronomy was taught at Uppsala University from the 1480s, and a professorial chair existed from 1593. Sweden's first proper observatory was created in 1741 when Anders Celsius had a rooftop observatory built on a medieval stone house in central Uppsala. That site served until the new observatory opened in 1853.
The name of the Celsius house survives in the street layout: the medieval building still stands in the S:t Per block, oriented to the old street grid, and a Celsius statue stands nearby. The telescopes in Observatorieparken are still used by amateur astronomers and for public viewings.
Visiting requires arrangement through the university since the site is not freely accessible to the public. It's best to contact Uppsala University in advance to organize a tour or viewing.
The observatory's historic telescopes still serve amateur astronomers and public viewing nights in Observatorieparken. The 1892 double refractor by Steinheil of Munich, with 36 cm and 33 cm lenses, remains in the main dome. The Celsius house on a central shopping street keeps its medieval orientation, and a statue of Celsius stands nearby.
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