Durham University Observatory

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Durham University Observatory is a weather observatory owned and operated by the University of Durham. It is located at Potters Bank, Durham and was founded in 1839 initially as an astronomical and meteorological observatory (owing to the need to calculate refraction from the air temperature) by Temple Chevallier until 1937 when the observatory moved purely to meteorological recording^[1]. The observatory's current Director is Professor Tim Burt of the Geography Department. After the Radcliffe Observatory, Durham has the longest unbroken meteorological record of any University in the UK, with records dating back to the 1840s^[2], principally due to the work of Gordon Manley in creating a temperature record that would be comparable to Oxford's ^[3]. At present the observatory contributes to the Met Office's forecasts by providing automated records.

[edit] See Also

• The Observatory's Homepage
• News Article on rising temperatures at Durham

v • d • e Durham University Chancellor: Bill Bryson • Vice-Chancellor: Prof. Chris Higgins Colleges: Collingwood • Stephenson • Grey • Hatfield • John Snow • Josephine Butler • St Aidan's • St Chad's • St Cuthbert's Society • St Hild & St Bede • St John's • St Mary's • Trevelyan • University • Ushaw • Ustinov • Van Mildert • Former Colleges Departments & Research Institutes: Business School • Institute of Advanced Study • Institute for Hazard and Risk Research • School of Medicine and Health • Wolfson Research Institute • Department of Computer Science • Department of Law Student Life: Athletic Union • College Rowing • UCCE • Palatinate Newspaper • durham21 • MostlyHarmless • Students' Union • Student Theatre • Durham University Dancesport Team • Purple Radio • Union Society (debating) • Boat Race • The Racecourse • Miscellaneous: Academic Dress • People  • Botanic Gardens • University Library • Oriental Museum • Museum of Archaeology • The Observatory • Categories: University • Colleges • People • Chancellors • Academics • Alumni Websites: University • Students’ Union

[edit] References

1. ^ Documentation Preserved - Spr. 1998
2. ^ Weather > Home ( DNN 3.0.12 )
3. ^ http://www.geography.dur.ac.uk/projects/weather/TheHistory/tabid/2212/Default.aspx The Observatory's History