Ankara University Observatory

Ankara University Observatory
Ankara Üniversitesi Gozlemevi
Organization Astronomy and Space Sciences Department
Faculty of Science
Ankara University
Location Ahlatlıbel, Gölbaşı, Ankara, Turkey
Coordinates 39°50′37″N 32°46′38″E / 39.84361°N 32.77722°ECoordinates: 39°50′37″N 32°46′38″E / 39.84361°N 32.77722°E
Altitude 1,256 m (4,121 ft)
Established August 26, 1963
Website rasathane.ankara.edu.tr
Telescopes
T40 Kreiken 406mm Reflecting telescope
T35 356mm Reflecting telescope
T30 Maksutov Cassegrain
T15 Coudé
T20 203mm Reflecting telescope
ETX-125 127mm Reflecting telescope
Mars Explorer 70mm Refracting telescope
TAD-2 60mm Refracting telescope
TAD-1 60mm Refracting telescope
Radio telescope Regional radio (defunct)

The Ankara University Observatory (AUG) (Turkish: Ankara Üniversitesi Gözlemevi), is a ground-based astronomical observatory operated by the Astronomy and Space Sciences Department at Ankara University's Faculty of Science. Established in 1959 by Dutch astronomer Egbert Adriaan Kreiken in Ahlatlıbel, Ankara. Currently, it consists of nine optical telescopes and a radio telescope, which is currently taken out of service. Old instruments are displayed in a museum at the observatory.[1]

History

Sundial at the Observatory

Ankara University's Faculty of Science decided in 1954 to establish an observatory to begin with astronomical studies. Ahlatlıbel in Gölbaşı, Ankara was chosen as the ideal site, a location with dark skies far from the city's downtown to avoid the effects of light pollution, having an average 300 clear nights per year and also offering easy transportation from the campus. It is situated 8 km (5.0 mi) south of Ankara at an altitude of 1,256 m (4,121 ft).[2]

Groundbreaking of the main building and the three domes took place in 1959. The observatory was officially inaugurated on August 26, 1963 accompanied by an international astronomy conference. The scientific studies were carried out in the beginning with a radio telescope produced by the Dutch PTT, a 5 cm astrograph, a 15 cm Coudé telescope of Zeiss from Germany for solar observations, a Hilger and Watts microphotometer and a Cuffey Iris photometer.[2]

Facilities

Telescopes

T40 Kreiken telescope
T40 Kreiken telescope and dome
T40 Kreiken telescope building

Named after Egbert Adriaan Kreiken, the founder of the observatory, it is used in general for photoelectric photometry observations on eclipsing binary stars and variable stars.[3]

T35 telescope
T35 telescope dome

Installed in the former Maksutov Dome ın 2011, the 356mm telescope is used for observation on binary stars and photoelectric effects of variable stars.[4]

T30 Maksutov telescope

300mm telescope for observation on binary stars and photoelectric effects of variable stars.[5]

T15 Coudé telescope
Coudé telescope
Coudé telescope dome

150mm telescope of type Coudé is used for scientific observation of sun spots. Popular and educational public sessions are held also at this telescope.[6]

Other telescopes

For popular and educational activities open to public:[7]

Meade LX200 8"
Meade ETX-125 5"
TAD Bresser RB-60 (Two pieces)
Bresser Mars Explorer ST-70
Radio telescope
Radio telescope

The radio telescope is not in use anymore.

Meteorological station

There is a meteorological station for observing atmospheric conditions such as temperature, hunidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and wind direction as well as precipitation amounts. The gathered data is published also on the internet every five minutes.[9]

Transportation

The observatory is in Ahlatlıbel on İncek Blvd., at a distance of 2 km (1.2 mi) from Or-An Bridge (Konya Road) and can be reached by public transportation:

References

  1. ↑ "Rasathane" (in Turkish). Ankara Üniversitesi Gözlemevi. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Short History". Ankara University Observatory. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  3. ↑ "Kreiken Telescope". Ankara University Observatory. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  4. ↑ "Meade, 14' LX200 Teleskop". Ankara University Observatory. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  5. ↑ "Maksutov-Cassegrain". Ankara University Observatory. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  6. ↑ "15 cm Coudé Refractor". Ankara University Observatory. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  7. ↑ "Observatory extends invite to view Mars". Hürriyet Daily News. 2012-06-30. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  8. ↑ "Meade ETX-125". Ankara University Observatory. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  9. ↑ "Hava Durumu" (in Turkish). Ankara Üniversitesi Gözlemevi. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  10. ↑ "Otobüs Hareket Saatleri Arama" (in Turkish). EGO. Retrieved 2013-02-20.