The Royal Observatory of Madrid is a scientific institution located on a small hill next to the Buen Retiro Park, in Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain. Founded in 1790, it has several buildings, among which the one designed by Juan de Villanueva at the end of the 18th century stands out.
Currently, the Royal Observatory of Madrid houses the headquarters of the National Astronomical Observatory and the Central Geophysical Observatory, both belonging to the National Geographic Institute. Since 2002, Rafael Bachiller has been the director of the Royal Observatory of Madrid.
In addition to its architectural value, the Observatory houses an important collection of historical instruments, as well as bibliographic and documentary collections. Since 2021, the Observatory has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Landscape of Light.
History
In the 18th century, the scientist and naval officer Jorge Juan y Santacilia proposed to Charles III of Spain to create an astronomical observatory in Madrid. This became part of a more ambitious project of an urban axis devoted to science, which included the Museo del Prado (initially planned as Natural Science Museum and Academy of Sciences), the Real Jardín Botánico and the Royal Astronomical Observatory. This is a prime example of the Age of Enlightenment in Spain, as part of an urban planning combining science and neoclassical architecture.
Architecture
The observatory was designed by Juan de Villanueva, architect to Charles III of Spain. It represents one of the highlights of Spanish neoclassical architecture. Its domed lantern was conceived as a classical circular temple.
The building is highly symmetric, with a slender portico which defines the main facade, with columns topped with capitals of the Corinthian order. At the top of the building, four small domes flank a large lantern that crowns the building, surrounded by sixteen columns, this time of the Ionic order.
Equipment
Shortly after construction, the observatory was equipped with a 25-foot reflecting telescope by Frederick William Herschel KH, FRS. The instrument was dismantled in the Peninsular War and only partially survived. It has been reconstructed in recent years.
Current use
Madrid is affected by light pollution and is not a good location for optical astronomy. Conditions are much better in other parts of Spanish territory, notably the Canary Islands, the second-best location for optical and infrared astronomy in the Northern Hemisphere, after Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii. The astronomers currently working at the Observatory collect and analyse data from telescopes across the world, as well as from space telescopes.
The observatory can be viewed by prior arrangement. The scientific equipment on display includes two original 7-foot telescopes constructed by William Herschel, the reconstructed 25-foot Herschel Telescope, a Foucault pendulum, and the 4-metre ruler that was used to perform fundamental geodetic triangulation in Spain in the 19th century. The visit also takes in the library which is housed in the Villanueva building.
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