![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Oude_Sterrewacht%252C_Leiden.jpg/640px-Oude_Sterrewacht%252C_Leiden.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Leiden Observatory
Established 1633 in the Netherlands / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Leiden Observatory?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Leiden Observatory (Dutch: Sterrewacht Leiden) is an astronomical institute of Leiden University, in the Netherlands. Established in 1633 to house the quadrant of Willebrord Snellius, it is the oldest operating university observatory in the world, with the only older still existing observatory being the Vatican Observatory.[1][2]
![]() | |
Organization | |
---|---|
Observatory code | 013 ![]() |
Location | Leiden, Netherlands |
Coordinates | 52°09′17″N 4°29′02″E |
Website | www![]() |
![]() | |
The observatory was initially located on the university building in the centre of Leiden before a new observatory building and dome were constructed in the university's botanical garden in 1860. It remained there until 1974 when the department moved to the science campus north-west of the city. Notable astronomers that have worked or directed the observatory include Willem de Sitter, Ejnar Hertzsprung and Jan Oort.