Astronomy has been taught at the University of Groningen since 1614, but the real research began with the founding of the Sterrenkundig Laboratorium (Astronomy Lab) in 1885 by
Prof.dr. J.C. Kapteyn
.
The core of the astronomy collection dates from that period. Before that time astronomy instruments and objects were sporadically purchased as part of the Physics Cabinet; only a few of those survive.
The oldest astronomical instruments are a planetarium based on the Copernicus model, a planetarium with a heaven-an-earth globe and a 19th century chronometer. The instruments used by
Prof.dr. J.C. Kapteyn
are also part of the collection.
