Pulkovo Observatory

Lore & Background

The observatory was the brainchild of German/Russian astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve, who became its first director, succeeded by his son Otto Wilhelm von Struve in 1861. The architect was Alexander Bryullov. It was equipped with state-of-the-art devices, including a 15-inch aperture refractor, one of the largest in the world at that time. In 1885, a 30-inch refractor was installed, the biggest usable refractor in the world until the 36-inch telescope at Lick Observatory a few years later; both were built by Alvan Clark & Sons in Massachusetts.

The observatory's principal work included determining coordinates of stars and astronomical constants such as precession, nutation, aberration, and refraction, as well as discovering and measuring double stars. It contributed to geographical study of Russia and navigation, producing star catalogues for 1845, 1865, 1885, 1905, and 1930. By its 50th anniversary, an astrophysical laboratory with a mechanical workshop was built. Astrophysical research gained momentum under director Feodor Bredikhin (appointed 1890) and with Aristarkh Belopolsky from Moscow Observatory. In 1923, a big Littrow spectrograph was installed, and in 1940 a horizontal solar telescope. The observatory began astrophotography in 1894, and in 1927 received a zone astrograph to catalogue near-polar stars. Regular observation of celestial poles began with a zenith telescope in 1904. In 1920, the observatory started transmitting exact time by radio signals. It participated in geodesic work, including measuring degrees of the meridian arc from the Danube to the Arctic Ocean (until 1851) and triangulation of Spitsbergen (1899–1901). The Pulkovo Meridian, at 30°19.6' east of Greenwich, was the point of departure for all former geographical maps of Russia. Affiliated observing locations included the Simeiz Observatory in Crimea (organized 1908 from a private observatory) and an astrometric station in Mykolaiv.

Reader's Guide

The Pulkovo Observatory holds a central place in Russian and world astronomy. Its early work on star coordinates and astronomical constants set standards for precision, and its large refractors were among the most powerful of their era. The observatory's contributions to geodesy, including the Pulkovo Meridian, shaped Russian cartography. Despite total destruction during the siege of Leningrad (1941–1944), the observatory was restored and reopened in May 1954, expanded with new departments and instruments. The survival of its lens and library under dramatic circumstances underscores its resilience. The observatory's legacy includes its role in training military geodesists and hydrographers, its expeditions for solar eclipses and southern sky observations, and its continued research in radio astronomy and instrument making. Its inclusion in a UNESCO World Heritage Site further highlights its cultural and scientific importance.

Did You Know?

• During the siege of Leningrad, the observatory's buildings were completely destroyed, but the lens of the 30-inch refractor and a significant part of the library were saved.
• The 65 cm Zeiss refractor was originally intended as a gift from Adolf Hitler to Benito Mussolini but was recovered by the Soviet Union.