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Astronomy & Space vocabulary · Telescopes & Observation

Observatory

Meaning in astronomy & space, with examples

/əbˈzɜːrvətɔːri/nounCore term

In astronomy & space, observatory means: A building or site with telescopes and instruments for observing the sky. Many large observatories are built on high, dry mountains far from city lights.

In Turkish: gözlemevi, rasathane

How it is used

Used for both professional research sites and public facilities. Space telescopes are also called observatories, as in 'space observatory'. People visit an observatory or join a public observing night there.

Example sentences

  1. The observatory sits at 2,500 metres, above most of the clouds and dust.

  2. The local observatory holds public stargazing nights every Friday in summer.

Common collocations

  • national observatory
  • space observatory
  • visit an observatory
  • observatory dome
  • mountaintop observatory
  • telescopeAn instrument that collects light or other radiation from distant objects with lenses, mirrors or antennas, so that faint and far-away things can be seen and studied.
  • astronomerA scientist who studies stars, planets, galaxies and other objects in space, usually by observing them and analysing the data.
  • radio telescopeA telescope that collects radio waves from space with a large dish or a set of antennas instead of visible light. It can observe through clouds and during the day.
  • light pollutionToo much artificial light at night from streetlights, buildings and signs, which brightens the sky and hides faint stars and galaxies.

More terms: Telescopes & Observation

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