What exactly is an observatory?

The mystery of the sky, space, and universe has always been a topic on which humanity has focused. Astrology is a science that many scientists have been interested in and have studied for a long time, from ancient times to the present. It still holds most of its secrets and is attractive because it is a field that is constantly developing and where a vast amount of knowledge can be acquired.

Observatories are the locations where astronomers conduct their research and studies on the sky. Long before the telescope was created, observatories were built to track changes and motions in the sky.

The vast structures that make up today’s observatories house one or more telescopes, along with workshops and study spaces. Unmanned observatories are also present on satellites that orbit the earth.

Radio observatories and optical observatories are the two categories into which they are separated. Telescopes are used in optical observatories, while huge dishes are used in radio observatories to gather radio signals from space.

Optical observatories are erected far from city lights in high and low cloudy areas. This is because the brightness of city lights makes celestial bodies appear less bright. Additionally, it shields the eyes from air pollution brought on by car exhaust and dust. The air needs to be clear for telescopes to detect weak and faint images. Because warm mountaintops are the best locations for the construction of optical observatories. Large observatories have been built on volcanic peaks in the Andes, Canary Islands, and Hawaii in South Africa. In Antalya’s Taurus Mountains, the most well-known and advanced observatory in our nation was built.

Telescope; It is positioned beneath a sizable dome whose lid can turn 360 degrees to provide views of various astronomical objects. Computerized telescopes have also been developed recently. Astronomers can work in warm observation rooms rather than chilly locations as a result.

Radio observatories do not need to be set up inside of a building, in contrast to optical observatories. Since radio waves originate from space and are affected by clouds, observatory locations are not particularly crucial. Both during the day and at night, telescopes can be used. Radio telescopes allow us to measure the signals coming from celestial bodies like galaxies, stars, and black holes, which helps us better understand the universe.

The Arecibo Observatory, whose construction was finished in 1963, houses the largest radio telescope in the world, a 300-meter-diameter instrument. The telescope’s surface area is almost as large as three football fields.