Astronomy

Small Copernican planetarium, 18th century

Planetarium by the brothers Van Laun, 1st quarter of the 18th century

Parallactisch instrument van J.C. Kapteyn, waarmee hij d.m.v. fotografische platen van de sterrenhemel de posities van sterren in kaart bracht, eind 19e eeuwParallactic instrument used by professor Kapteyn to determine the positions of stars using photo plates, end of the 19th century

Parallactic instrument used by professor Kapteyn to determine the positions of stars using photo plates, end of the 19th century

Plaathouder voor fotografische platen gebruikt door J.C. Kapteyn, eind 19e eeuwHolder for photographic plates used by professor Kapteyn for determining the position of stars, end of the 19th century

Holder for photographic plates used by professor Kapteyn for determining the position of stars, end of the 19th century

The Kapteyn Astronomy laboratory, ca. 1922

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.

Last modified:

08 October 2021 2.40 p.m.

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