Cambridge University Observatory
Organization
Dates and places
The University Observatory was built at a site off Madingley Road in 1823 to house telescopes, including that donated by the Duke of Northumberland. The Solar Physics Observatory moved to the same site from South Kensington in 1913. Until 1947 they operated alongside but independently of each other. In that year they were combined as the 'Cambridge Observatories'. The Institute of Theoretical Astronomy was established in 1967 and housed on the site. The Observatories were amalgamated with it to form the Institute of Astronomy in 1972.
Geographical areas
Madingley Road, Cambridge
Legal status / Nationality
Constituent part of the University of Cambridge
Sphere of activity
Astronomical observations, teaching and research
Admin / Family structure
Plumian Professor ex officio Observatory Director
Other information
Much useful background information by F.J.M. Stratton 'The history of the Cambridge Observatories' in 'Annals of the Solar Physics Observatory, Cambridge' vol.1, 1949
Found in 12 Collections and/or Records:
File
A photographic history of Grubb Parsons, 1926-1975, 1979
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 113/3/1
Scope and Contents
Photograph album created by a former employee at Grubb Parsons [Mr Shambles?, employed as an engineer, 1931-1975]. Comprises: a typed history of Grubb Parsons, 1926-1975 (16 pp), and a collection of 35 photographs with an index; accompanying notes on errors and omissions. The photographs comprise: 1. Sir Howard Grubb Parsons and Co. original building, 1926. 2. Engineering workshop, 1926. 3. Optical workshop, 1926. 4.1. Sir Howard Grubb at work at a desk. 4.2. 44 Inch optical...
Dates:
1926-1975, 1979
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Fonds
Archives of the University Observatory, its sister body the Solar Physics Observatory, and their successors, the combined Observatories and Institute of Theoretical Astronomy, 1818 - 1999
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/Obsy
Scope and Contents
The archives comprise the records of internal governance, finance, building and equipment development and astronomical observation, together with several small assortments of personal papers of individuals associated with the University Observatory, its sister and successor bodies, such as G.B. Airy, H.F. Newall and R.O. Redman.
Dates:
1818 - 1999
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Correspondence on Northumberland's telescope, 1833 - 1841
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 6/157
Scope and Contents
Correspondence on the installation of the Duke of Northumberland's telescope at the University Observatory, Cambridge. The letters covers the initial purchase of the telescope, the refinements made to it, the construction of a new dome to house it, its mounting and its installation. The correspondents include the Duke of Northumberland, Sir F. Beaufort, J. Challis, E.J. Cooper, J. Glaisher, J.F.W. Herschel and many builders and instrument makers. There are various sketches and plans, as well...
Dates:
1833 - 1841
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Correspondence on observatories, 1924 - 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 8/22
Scope and Contents
(1) Miscellaneous foreign observatoriesLetter from R. Atkinson to Colonel Gerado Dianderas, Peru, regarding equipment for the proposed Arequipa Observatory, 1946.Correspondence with the Hong Kong Royal Observatory regarding time signals, 1946.Letter from S. Jarocinski, Warsaw, to Sir Howard Grubb, Parsons and Co. Ltd, regarding the Babia Góra Observatory, 1937.(2) Miscellaneous British observatoriesLetters from E.M. Lindsay, Armagh Observatory, to Sir...
Dates:
1924 - 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Correspondence on post-war astronomy, 1945 - 1947
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 9/554
Scope and Contents
Correspondence relating to the Royal Society's committee on the post-war needs of astronomy, including the following items:Correspondence with F.J.M. Stratton, W.H.M. Greaves, H.H. Plaskett and E.A. Milne concerning an application by E.M. Lindsay for a grant to convert a telescope at Armagh to a Schmidt Camera, 1946-1947, with a copy of the application and a report by H. Spencer Jones.Correspondence with W.H.M. Greaves concerning the proposed Schmidt Camera at Edinburgh,...
Dates:
1945 - 1947
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Papers on Northumberland's telescope, 1842 - 1846
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 6/158
Scope and Contents
Papers relating to the publication of a paper by Airy on the establishment of the Northumberland telescope at the University Observatory, Cambridge. There is an essay giving a description of the dome and telescope, and correspondence with engravers, artists and printers for the paper's publication. The correspondence includes letters of thanks for the work from J. Challis, W.H. Miller, W.S. Stratford, G. Bishop, G. Fisher, W.R. Dawes, E. Sabine, Sir F. Beaufort, S.H. Christie, M.J. Johnson,...
Dates:
1842 - 1846
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Papers on the National Committee for Astronomy, 1944 - 1947
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 9/604
Scope and Contents
Correspondence and papers regarding the International Astronomical Union's National Committee for Astronomy, including the following items:Agenda and minutes of meetings of various committees, including the National Committee for Astronomy and the Geodesy and Geophysics Committee, 1947.Correspondence with S. Chapman, W.H.M. Greaves, Professor L. Carnera, T.H. Tizard and the Royal Society regarding committee business, including visits abroad, travel allowances and other...
Dates:
1944 - 1947
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Papers on the Solar Parallax Sub-commission, 1937 - 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 9/605
Scope and Contents
Correspondence and papers regarding the International Astronomical Union's Solar Parallax Sub-commission, including the following items:Correspondence concerning the sale of a 8-inch Cooke Refractor to the Astronomical Society of South Africa, 1948.Correspondence concerning the correction of longitude of Allegheny Observatory, United States, 1940.Correspondence concerning missing plates of the Eros observations from Lembang, Java, 1940.Correspondence with...
Dates:
1937 - 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Sub-Series
Plans and sketches of Solar Physics building, Spectroheliograph House and Siderostat House, at Cambridge University Observatory; with related papers, 1912 - 1913
Sub-Series
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/P.XXVI
Scope and Contents
The engineers were T. Cooke and Sons, and the contractor was William Sindall.
Dates:
1912 - 1913
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Sub-Series
Plans of Cambridge University Observatory; with related papers, 1821 - 1822
Sub-Series
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/P.XXXVII
Scope and Contents
The contractors were Munday and Bushell. All plans are unsigned. The scale is inferred as tentatively 1 inch to 5 feet, unless otherwise specified.
Dates:
1821 - 1822
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Sub-Series
Plans of details of Huggins and McClean Building at Cambridge University Observatory, 1908 - 1909
Sub-Series
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/P.XXVIII
Scope and Contents
From the Management Group:
The category - Assets records - comprises records relating to property and personnel. Accounting material is in this category, alongside records of endowments, charitable trusts, buildings and employees.
Dates:
1908 - 1909
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Sub-Series
Plans of the details of the New Equatorial Building at Cambridge University Observatory, 1896 - 1898
Sub-Series
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/P.XXVII
Scope and Contents
The contractors were Rattee and Kett, Cambridge.
Dates:
1896 - 1898
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).