Armagh Observatory

{{Short description|Astronomical research institute in Armagh, Northern Ireland}}

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Armagh Observatory is an astronomical research institute in Armagh, Northern Ireland. Around 25 astronomers are based at the observatory, studying stellar astrophysics, the Sun, Solar System astronomy and Earth's climate.

In 2018, Armagh Observatory was recognized for having 224 years of unbroken weather records.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/recognition-for-woman-who-preserved-unbroken-weather-record-at-armagh-observatory-1-8741208|title=Recognition for woman who preserved unbroken weather record at Armagh Observatory|website=www.newsletter.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-10-30}}

History

The Observatory is located close to the centre of the city of Armagh, adjacent to the Armagh Planetarium in approximately {{convert|14|acre|m2}} of landscaped grounds known as the Armagh Astropark. It was founded in 1789 by The Most Rev. and Rt Hon. The 1st Baron Rokeby, Church of Ireland Lord Primate of All Ireland and Lord Archbishop of Armagh.

In 1795 through 1797 Solar observations were made at Armagh, including measurements of sunspots.{{Cite journal|last=Arlt|first=R.|s2cid=55309719|date=2009|title=The solar observations at Armagh Observatory in 1795–1797|journal=Astronomische Nachrichten|language=en|volume=330|issue=4|pages=311–316|doi=10.1002/asna.200911195|bibcode=2009AN....330..311A|issn=1521-3994|doi-access=free}}

Ernst Julius Öpik (grandfather of Lembit Öpik MP) was based here for over 30 years and among his many contributions to astrophysics he wrote of the dangers of an asteroid impacting on the Earth.

One of the observatory's directors, Thomas Romney Robinson invented the cup anemometer, a device for measuring wind speed.{{Cite book |last=Winn |first=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GZHxXRyTYkgC&q=Armagh+Observatory+telescopes&pg=PA236 |title=I Never Knew that About Ireland |date=2007-03-06 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=9780312368807 |language=en}}

A plan was announced in 1949 to establish an Armagh Planetarium.{{Cite journal|title=1976IrAJ...12..204G Page 204|bibcode = 1976IrAJ...12..204G| last1=Grew | first1=Sheelagh | journal=Irish Astronomical Journal | year=1976 | volume=12 | page=204 }} After many years work the Planetarium opened in 1968, its first director was Patrick Moore. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/2018/05/04/news/armagh-planetarium-marks-50th-anniversary-1320702/|title=Armagh Planetarium marks 50th anniversary|date=3 May 2018 }}

In 2018, the observatory was given an award by Centennial Weather Station Award from the World Meteorological Organisation for 224 years of unbroken weather recordings. The records go back to 1794 and are also made available on the internet in the early 21st century.

In modern times the Observatory along with the nearby Planetarium and 14-acre Astropark are noted tourist attraction and education centre. The gardens, historical telescopes, and various astronomically related devices such as sundials are among some of the exhibits for visitors.{{Cite web |title=Armagh Observatory, Armagh |url=https://discovernorthernireland.com/Armagh-Observatory-Armagh-P3286/ |access-date=2019-10-31 |website=discovernorthernireland.com |language=en-gb |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031192216/https://discovernorthernireland.com/Armagh-Observatory-Armagh-P3286/ |url-status=dead }}

In 2025, the Irish Historic Astronomical Observatories, consisting of Dunsink Observatory, Birr Castle and Armagh Observatory, were added to the World Heritage Tentative List, a step towards becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site.{{cite web |title=Irish historical observatories seek UNESCO status |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0418/1508329-astronomical-observatories-unesco/ |website=www.rte.ie |publisher=RTÉ |date=2025-04-18 | access-date=2025-04-20}}

Facilities

There are scale models of the Solar System and the Universe, two sundials and historic telescopes, as well as telescope domes and other outdoor exhibits. The Human Orrery, launched in 2004, is located close to the main Observatory building. The Observatory's specialist library and archives, and collections of scientific instruments and artefacts associated with the development of modern astronomy, represent one of the leading collections of its kind in the British Isles.

Instruments

A 2½ inch aperture refracting telescope by J & E Troughton was installed in a dome in 1795.{{Cite book|title=Troughton, Thomas|date=2011-10-31|publisher=Oxford University Press|series=Benezit Dictionary of Artists|doi = 10.1093/benz/9780199773787.article.b00185568}} The telescope was manufactured in London, and is noted for its late 18th century brass metal work. It is also known the Troughton Equatorial Telescope, for having an equatorial mounting.

The observatory has an Earnshaw Regulator. It is an accurate type of clock invented in 1791 by Thomas Earnshaw.{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/treasuresofpower00meas|url-access=registration|quote=Earnshaw Regulator.|title=Treasures of the Powerhouse Museum|last1=Measham|first1=Terry|last2=Museum|first2=Powerhouse|date=1994-01-01|publisher=Powerhouse Publishing|language=en}} Earnshaw travelled with it to Armagh to set it up in the new Observatory.

In the early 1800s it was reported to have a mural circle instrument.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Iy_sAAAAMAAJ&q=Armagh+Observatory&pg=PA17|title=Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society|last=Society|first=Royal Astronomical|date=1836|publisher=Priestley and Weale|language=en}} Another instrument at the observatory is a sunshine recorder.

In the 1830s the observatory bought a 15-inch reflecting telescope from the Grubb Telescope Company.{{cite journal |last1=Butler |first1=C. J. |title=The 15-inch Equatorial Reflector by Thomas Grubb at Armagh Observatory |journal=Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society |date=June 2016 |issue=129 |pages=2–9 |url=https://scientificinstrumentsociety.org/BulletinArticles_public/Bulletin129_Butler,C.J._15-inch-equatorial-by-Thomas-Grubb.pdf}} The telescope used a speculum metal mirror mounted on an equatorial mount with clockwork-drive.

In 1885, a ten-inch aperture refracting telescope was installed, also by Grubb.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/663882/view/armagh-10-inch-refractor-telescope-1885|title=Armagh 10-inch refractor telescope, 1885 - Stock Image - C025/0064|website=Science Photo Library|access-date=2019-10-31}} This was installed in the Robinson dome.

Meridian marks can be found in the vicinity of the observatory, these look like stone arches, but were used to mark the location of the north-south line for the astronomical instruments. There is also another one in the form of an iron obelisk. The first meridian mark was built in 1793, and is in Tullyard, and it was used with the transit instrument.{{Cite journal |last=Butler |first=John |date=2016-04-01 |title=Armagh Observatory's meridian marksARMAGH OBSERVATORY |url=https://academic.oup.com/astrogeo/article/57/2/2.27/2468648 |journal=Astronomy & Geophysics |language=en |volume=57 |issue=2 |pages=2.27–2.31 |doi=10.1093/astrogeo/atw073 |issn=1366-8781 |doi-access=free|url-access=subscription }}

In 2005, two wide-angle cameras for a meteor detection systems were installed.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Y3POvMXDcgC&q=Armagh+Observatory&pg=PA263|title=Advances in Meteoroid and Meteor Science|last1=Trigo-Rodriguez|first1=J. M.|last2=Rietmeijer|first2=F.|last3=Llorca|first3=Jordi|last4=Janches|first4=D.|date=2008-03-21|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9780387784199|language=en}}

Research

The records of temperature take at Armagh Observatory between 1844 and 2004 were analyzed in 2006 research paper.{{Cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20060050130|title=Examination of the Armagh Observatory Annual Mean Temperature Record, 1844-2004|date=July 2006 |last1=Wilson |first1=Robert M. |last2=Hathaway |first2=David H. }}

List of directors

class="wikitable"

|+ style="text-align: left;" | Directors of Armagh Observatory

James Archibald Hamilton

| 1790 - 1815

William Davenport

| 1815 - 1823

Thomas Romney Robinson

| 1823 - 1882

John Louis Emil Dreyer

|1882 - 1916

Joseph A. Hardcastle

|1917

WFA Ellison

|1918 - 1936

Eric Mervyn Lindsay

|1937 - 1974

Mart de Groot

|1976 - 1994

Mark E. Bailey

| 1995 - 2016

class="wikitable"

|+ style="text-align: left;" | Directors of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

Michael G. Burton{{Cite web |url=http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/armagh-planetarium-welcomes-new-director.html |title=Armagh Planetarium Welcomes New Director |access-date=2020-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414163834/http://www.armaghplanet.com/blog/armagh-planetarium-welcomes-new-director.html |archive-date=2017-04-14 | date=1 August 2016 | publisher=Astronotes | url-status=dead }}

| 2016 -