Observatory

An observatory is a location utilised for the purpose of observing terrestrial and/or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology, geology, meteorology and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed. Historically, observatories have been as simple as containing a sextant (for measuring the distance between stars) to as complex as Stonehenge (for measuring the seasons through the position of the sun's rising and setting). Modern astronomical observatories typically contain one or more permanently mounted telescopes contained in buildings with a rotating or removeable dome. Within the last twenty years, many space-based observatories have been launched, introducing a new use of the term.