Boyden Observatory 2.63

Bloemfontein,
South Africa

About Boyden Observatory

Boyden Observatory Boyden Observatory is a well known place listed as Landmark in Bloemfontein , Museum in Bloemfontein ,

Contact Details & Working Hours

Details

Boyden Observatory is an astronomical research observatory and science education centre located in Maselspoort, 20km north-east of the city of Bloemfontein in Free State, South Africa. The observatory is managed by the Physics Department of the University of the Free State (UFS). The Friends of Boyden assist the observatory as a public support group, organising open evenings and protecting its public interest. Boyden also makes use of members of ASSA Bloemfontein Centre, the amateur astronomy club of the city, for presenters and telescope assistants.HistoryThe Boyden Station of Harvard Observatory was founded in 1889 by Harvard University at Mount Harvard near Lima, Peru. It was relocated to Arequipa, Peru in October 1890. It was named after Uriah A. Boyden, who in 1879 left in his will $238,000 to Harvard Observatory to be used for astronomical purposes. Significant work done at Arequipa include the discovery of Phoebe, an outer moon of Saturn, by William Henry Pickering using photographic plates captured with the 24in Bruce Astrograph.