Kvistaberg Observatory
Encyclopedia
The Kvistaberg Observatory (Kvistabergs observatorium) is an observatory in Sweden
belonging to the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Uppsala University
and located between Uppsala
and Stockholm
, at almost equal distance from both cities.
The observatory was the result of a donation in 1944 from Nils Tamm, an artist who had studied astronomy in his youth under Nils Christoffer Dunér
and Östen Bergstrand
in Uppsala and remained an avid amateur astronomer throughout his life.
Through the work of professor Åke Wallenquist
and professor Gunnar Malmquist
at the observatory in Uppsala, the new observatory was fitted out with a large Schmidt telescope (100/135/300cm) in 1963. Wallenquist became the first director of the observatory (1948-1970) and was succeeded by Tarmo Oja
(1970-1999) and later Claes-Ingvar Lagerkvist
(1999-2007).
Around 2004, Uppsala University decided to discontinue active research at the observatory. The property was sold to the municipality of Upplands-Bro, where Kvistaberg is situated. The domes and telescopes are now part of a museum, which was inaugurated in 2009.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
belonging to the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
and located between Uppsala
Uppsala
- Economy :Today Uppsala is well established in medical research and recognized for its leading position in biotechnology.*Abbott Medical Optics *GE Healthcare*Pfizer *Phadia, an offshoot of Pharmacia*Fresenius*Q-Med...
and Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, at almost equal distance from both cities.
The observatory was the result of a donation in 1944 from Nils Tamm, an artist who had studied astronomy in his youth under Nils Christoffer Dunér
Nils Christoffer Dunér
Nils Christoffer Dunér was a Swedish astronomer.Dunér received his doctorate from Lund University in 1862, was observer at the observatory there from 1864 and Professor of Astronomy at Uppsala University from 1888.He was awarded the Rumford Medal in 1892...
and Östen Bergstrand
Östen Bergstrand
Carl Östen Emanuel Bergstrand was a Swedish astronomer.He was Professor of Astronomy at Uppsala University from 1909 until 1938. His early work was focused on astrometrics, particularly in the examination of photographic plates to measure stellar parallax...
in Uppsala and remained an avid amateur astronomer throughout his life.
Through the work of professor Åke Wallenquist
Åke Wallenquist
Åke Anders Edvard Wallenquist was a Swedish astronomer. He worked at the Dutch Bosscha Observatory in Indonesia between 1928 and 1935, and became assistant professor at Uppsala's Kvistabergs Observatorium in 1948...
and professor Gunnar Malmquist
Gunnar Malmquist
Karl Gunnar Malmquist was a Swedish astronomer.-Biography:Gunnar Malmquist was born in Ystad, where he completed his secondary school education before matriculating at the Lund University in 1911. He received his Ph.D. in 1921, was an amanuensis at the Lund Observatory 1915-1920 and a docent from...
at the observatory in Uppsala, the new observatory was fitted out with a large Schmidt telescope (100/135/300cm) in 1963. Wallenquist became the first director of the observatory (1948-1970) and was succeeded by Tarmo Oja
Tarmo Oja
Tarmo Oja is a professor in astronomy at Uppsala University who studies galactic structure and variable stars. An asteroid, 5080 Oja, is named after him. He worked at the Kvistaberg Observatory until his retirement in 1999...
(1970-1999) and later Claes-Ingvar Lagerkvist
Claes-Ingvar Lagerkvist
Claes-Ingvar Lagerkvist is a Swedish astronomer at the Uppsala Astronomical Observatory. He is known for his work on the shapes and spin properties of minor planets....
(1999-2007).
Around 2004, Uppsala University decided to discontinue active research at the observatory. The property was sold to the municipality of Upplands-Bro, where Kvistaberg is situated. The domes and telescopes are now part of a museum, which was inaugurated in 2009.
External links
- Kvistaberg Observatory - official website
- Pictures from the inauguration of the museum