Kapteyn Astronomical Institute
Encyclopedia
The Kapteyn Astronomical Institute is the department of astronomy
of the University of Groningen
in the Netherlands.
The institute is named after its founder, Jacobus Cornelius Kapteyn
, who lived from 1851 to 1922. Jacobus Kapteyn was appointed professor of astronomy and theoretical mechanics in 1878 at a time when no astronomical tradition, let alone an observatory
, existed in Groningen. Kapteyn's first "Astronomical Laboratory" was opened in 1896. In 1913, after various relocations, the laboratory moved to the Broerstraat, near the Academiegebouw in the center of the city. In 1970, the institute relocated to a new building on the campus site to the north of the city. Since 1983, the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute has been located at its present position in the Zernike building, where it shares a building with the Low Energy Astrophysics division of SRON
.
From 1965 until 1995, an observatory —also named after Kapteyn— (Dutch: Kapteyn Sterrenwacht) was operated near the town of Roden
, some 20 km Southwest of Groningen. The buildings still exist, but are no longer in use as an observatory, nor as an astronomical workshop.
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
of the University of Groningen
University of Groningen
The University of Groningen , located in the city of Groningen, was founded in 1614. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands as well as one of its largest. Since its inception more than 100,000 students have graduated...
in the Netherlands.
The institute is named after its founder, Jacobus Cornelius Kapteyn
Jacobus Kapteyn
Jacobus Cornelius Kapteyn, was a Dutch astronomer, best known for his extensive studies of the Milky Way and as the first discoverer of evidence for galactic rotation....
, who lived from 1851 to 1922. Jacobus Kapteyn was appointed professor of astronomy and theoretical mechanics in 1878 at a time when no astronomical tradition, let alone an observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
, existed in Groningen. Kapteyn's first "Astronomical Laboratory" was opened in 1896. In 1913, after various relocations, the laboratory moved to the Broerstraat, near the Academiegebouw in the center of the city. In 1970, the institute relocated to a new building on the campus site to the north of the city. Since 1983, the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute has been located at its present position in the Zernike building, where it shares a building with the Low Energy Astrophysics division of SRON
Netherlands Institute for Space Research
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research is the Dutch expertise institute for space research. The Institute develops and uses innovative technology for groundbreaking research in space, focusing on astrophysical research, Earth science and planetary research...
.
From 1965 until 1995, an observatory —also named after Kapteyn— (Dutch: Kapteyn Sterrenwacht) was operated near the town of Roden
Roden
-Places:*Roden, Bavaria, a town in the Main-Spessart district of Bavaria, Germany*Roden , a town in Drenthe, Netherlands*Rodén, a village in Fuentes de Ebro municipality of the Province of Zaragoza, Spain*Roden, Shropshire, a village in England...
, some 20 km Southwest of Groningen. The buildings still exist, but are no longer in use as an observatory, nor as an astronomical workshop.