Start with this post a series of reports about some of the astronomical observatories at one point or another in their history have been related to the study of double stars.
How could it be otherwise, I will start talking about Fabra Astronomical Observatory, which I've been very fortunate to have always been next to my house. Over the years, I also had the good fortune to be related to their staff because some time collaborated on a project that also works, one of the astronomers at the observatory.
"The Fabra, "as we affectionately call him in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bis located on the southeast side of the Collserola under the Tibidabo, dominating the plain of Barcelona, \u200b\u200bthe Delta del Llobregat and part of the Maresme.
Notably this semi-urban observatory, located at 415 meters coordinates 41.4184 ° N 2.1239 ° East, focuses astronomical research in the observation and measurement of double stars as well as international programs aimed at studying and monitoring asteroids.
The origin of the Fabra Observatory dates back to 1894 when the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences of Barcelona delivered to the Barcelona project led by noted meteorologist Riba i Eduard Fontserè to build an astronomical observatory, meteorological and seismic Tibidabo. The council rejected the project, but the seed was planted.
In 1900, the Marquis de Alella, Camil Fabra i Fontanils, industrial and patron, made a significant financial contribution (about 80% of the budget) to refloat the situation and realize the project. A large plaque at the foot of the large telescope mount today reminds us of this fact.
work began in 1902 and Josep Comas Solà is responsible to amend the original project and direct the work. The building is designed by the architect Domènech Estapà and it was built in the period from 1902 to 1904. In 1904 Comas Sola was named the first director of the Observatory.
In 1912 the Academy of Sciences proposed shared management of the Observatory, with the Comas Solà i Eduard Fontserè astronomical section on the weather. Since its opening on April 7, 1904, in the presence of King Alfonso XIII and various authorities, the Observatory has been a reference to Barcelona and a scientific symbol for the city.
For any reason we must make a visist to the dome where is the refractor Mailhat, 38 cm. A long focal length refractor only in Spain and one of the largest of its features still in use. This is a double-diameter telescope, with visual and photographic lens (focal 6000mm and 409mm respectively) and is incredible ... with that special something that makes you transport to the past, imagining himself beside the Josep Comas i Sola in one night in 1908 in studying Titan , trying to prove the existence of its atmosphere.
also essential, to make an exit to the terrace of the dome, with stunning views over the city.
To give you a clearer idea of \u200b\u200bwhat I speak, here you have some photos of the last visit I could do Fabra with a group of friends and fellow fans ... Fotillo
This is a group at the entrance of the Observatory Fabra ...
Alfons Doors, a meteorologist at the observatory showing the instrument shelter Stevenson also called checkpoint.
Here an overview of the Observatory building.
With friends on the Monster Mailhat. "
Well, now comes the protagonist and his surroundings.
Some details of the "monturilla" equatorial.
And here the "light" refractor poised game.
And here a detail of the site where "you see."
To give you an idea of \u200b\u200bthe scale, black tube that looks like a search engine, is a "small" C14 ...
And here the "equipillo" to complete with the dome open. In the second picture you can even appreciate the support of astrograph photo boards attached in parallel to the main pipe.
Finally a photo "artistic" the crescent moon through the opening the dome.
you soon ...
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