King's Observatory

The King's Observatory
Kew Observatory
The King's Observatory in winter
LocationOld Deer Park
Nearest cityRichmond, London
Coordinates51°28′08″N 0°18′53″W / 51.4689°N 0.3147°W / 51.4689; -0.3147
Built1769
Built forGeorge III of the United Kingdom
Original useAstronomical and terrestrial magnetic observatory
Current usePrivate dwelling
ArchitectSir William Chambers
OwnerCrown Estate
Websitewww.kingsobservatory.co.uk
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameKew Observatory
Designated10 January 1950
Reference no.1357729
King's Observatory is located in London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
King's Observatory
Location of The King's Observatory in London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

The King's Observatory (called for many years the Kew Observatory)[1] is a Grade I listed building[2] in Richmond, London. Now a private dwelling, it formerly housed an astronomical and terrestrial magnetic observatory[3] founded by King George III. The architect was Sir William Chambers; his design of the King's Observatory influenced the architecture of two Irish observatories – Armagh Observatory and Dunsink Observatory near Dublin.[4]

  1. ^ Scott, Robert Henry (1885). "The History of the Kew Observatory" in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Vol. XXXIX. Royal Society. pp. 37–86.
  2. ^ Historic England (10 January 1950). "Kew Observatory (1357729)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  3. ^ Hunt, Andrew (21 January 2007). "Where a king watched a transit of Venus". Cities of Science. Archived from the original on 28 March 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  4. ^ "The King's Observatory at Richmond". History. Armagh Observatory. 22 February 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2015.