The Observatory (astronomy)
Encyclopedia
The Observatory is a publication, variously described as a journal, a magazine and a review, devoted to astronomy. It has appeared regularly since 1877, and is currently published every two months.
Although it is not published by the Royal Astronomical Society
, it publishes the reports of their meetings and is available at a reduced rate to their fellows. Other features are the extensive book reviews and "Here and There", a collection of misprints and ridiculous statements of astronomical interest.
The founder and first editor (1877–82) was William Christie, then Chief Assistant at the Royal Observatory
and later Astronomer Royal
. Notable subsequent editors include:
Although it is not published by the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
, it publishes the reports of their meetings and is available at a reduced rate to their fellows. Other features are the extensive book reviews and "Here and There", a collection of misprints and ridiculous statements of astronomical interest.
The founder and first editor (1877–82) was William Christie, then Chief Assistant at the Royal Observatory
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich , in London, England played a major role in the history of astronomy and navigation, and is best known as the location of the prime meridian...
and later Astronomer Royal
Astronomer Royal
Astronomer Royal is a senior post in the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. There are two officers, the senior being the Astronomer Royal dating from 22 June 1675; the second is the Astronomer Royal for Scotland dating from 1834....
. Notable subsequent editors include:
- Arthur Eddington (1913–19)
- Harold Spencer JonesHarold Spencer JonesSir Harold Spencer Jones KBE FRS was an English astronomer. Although born "Jones", his surname became "Spencer Jones"....
(1915–23) - Richard van der Riet WoolleyRichard van der Riet WoolleyRichard van der Riet Woolley was an English astronomer who became Astronomer Royal. His mother's maiden name was Van der Riet....
(1933–39) - William McCreaWilliam McCrea (astronomer)Sir William Hunter McCrea FRS was an English astronomer and mathematician.-Biography:His family moved to Kent in 1906 and then Derbyshire where he attended Chesterfield Grammar School. His father was a school master at Netherthorpe Grammar School in Staveley...
(1935–37) - Margaret BurbidgeMargaret BurbidgeEleanor Margaret Burbidge, née Peachey, FRS is a British-born American astrophysicist, noted for original research and holding many administrative posts, including director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory....
(1948–51) - Antony HewishAntony HewishAntony Hewish FRS is a British radio astronomer who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1974 for his work on the development of radio aperture synthesis and its role in the discovery of pulsars...
(1957–61) - Donald Lynden-BellDonald Lynden-BellDonald Lynden-Bell CBE FRS is an English astrophysicist, best known for his theories that galaxies contain massive black holes at their centre, and that such black holes are the principal source of energy in quasars. He was a co-recipient, with Maarten Schmidt, of the inaugural Kavli Prize for...
(1967–69) - Carole JordanCarole JordanProfessor Dame Carole Jordan, DBE, FRS, FInstP, was the first ever female president of the Royal Astronomical Society. She was also only the third female recipient of its Gold Medal .-Education:Carole Jordan was educated at Harrow County Grammar School for Girls and at University College London...
(1968–73) - Jocelyn Bell BurnellJocelyn Bell BurnellSusan Jocelyn Bell Burnell, DBE, FRS, FRAS , is a British astrophysicist. As a postgraduate student she discovered the first radio pulsars with her thesis supervisor Antony Hewish. She was president of the Institute of Physics from October 2008 until October 2010, and was interim president...
(1973–76)