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Observatories > Bordeaux Observatory

BORDEAUX OBSERVATORY



Credit : observatoire de Bordeaux
General view of Bordeaux Observatory


Founded :  1879
Activities :  solar physics 
astrometry, astrodynamics 
planetology 
radioastronomy 
aeronomy
Welcoming the general public :  Tour are organized by the association Sirius

Please register on the web site:
http://sirius-floirac.fr/visites-art-sciences/
Address :  2 avenue de l'observatoire 
F-33270 Floirac

 
Credit : observatoire de Bordeaux
The meridian transit circle, still observing, by remote

Credit : observatoire de Bordeaux
The building of the transit circle

Bordeaux Observatory has been founded in 1879 at Floirac on a hill near Bordeaux on the right bank of the river Garonne by Georges Rayet who was its first director. Several instruments were built such as equatorial refractors and a transit circle. A "Carte du ciel" refractor participated to the international project at the beginning of the XXth century.

 

The meridian transit circle is now automated and makes its observations alone following the program chosen in advance. It was used first for star reference catalogues and now for solar system objects , especially the natural planetary satellites for ephemerides purpose.


 
The "grand équatorial photographique"