George Bishop's Observatory
George Bishop's Observatory (code: 969) was an astronomical observatory erected in 1836 by the astronomer George Bishop near his residence at the South Villa of Regent's Park, London. It was equipped with a 7-inch (180 mm) Dollond refractor.
Bishop Observatory in 1850 | |
| Alternative names | George Bishop's Observatory |
|---|---|
| Observatory code | 969 |
| Location | London, City of Westminster, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°31′30″N 0°09′17″W / 51.52494°N 0.15461°W |
Location of George Bishop's Observatory | |
| Related media on Commons | |
Description Edit
The Reverend William Rutter Dawes conducted his noted investigations of double stars at the observatory from 1839 to 1844; John Russell Hind began his career there in October of the following year. From the time that Karl Ludwig Hencke's detection of Astræa, 8 Dec. 1845, showed a prospect of success in the search for new planets, the resources of Bishop's observatory were turned in that direction, and with conspicuous results. Between 1847 and 1854 Hind discovered ten minor planets at the observatory, and Albert Marth one. Other notable astronomers to use the observatory included Eduard Vogel, Charles George Talmage, and Norman Robert Pogson.
The observatory closed when Bishop died in 1861, and in 1863 the instruments and dome were moved to the residence of George Bishop, junior, at Meadowbank, Twickenham, where a new observatory was constructed to follow the same system of work. Twickenham Observatory closed in 1877 and the instruments were given to the Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte in Italy.[citation needed] Regent's College London now stands on the site of the observatory.
Minor planets discovered Edit
The following minor planets were discovered at George Bishop's Observatory:
| Name | Discovery date | Discoverer | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Iris | 13 August 1847 | John Russell Hind | JPL · MPC |
| 8 Flora | 18 October 1847 | John Russell Hind | JPL · MPC |
| 12 Victoria | 13 September 1850 | John Russell Hind | JPL · MPC |
| 14 Irene | 19 May 1851 | John Russell Hind | JPL · MPC |
| 18 Melpomene | 24 June 1852 | John Russell Hind | JPL · MPC |
| 19 Fortuna | 22 August 1852 | John Russell Hind | JPL · MPC |
| 22 Kalliope | 16 November 1852 | John Russell Hind | JPL · MPC |
| 23 Thalia | 15 December 1852 | John Russell Hind | JPL · MPC |
| 27 Euterpe | 8 November 1853 | John Russell Hind | JPL · MPC |
| 29 Amphitrite | 1 March 1854 | Albert Marth | JPL · MPC |
| 30 Urania | 22 July 1854 | John Russell Hind | JPL · MPC |
References Edit
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Clerke, Agnes Mary (1885–1900). "Bishop, George". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co.