Kingston, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Kingston Observatory / L’Observatoire de Kingston
Photographed By Robert Rusaw, August 29, 2022
1. The Kingston Observatory Marker
Inscription.
The first optical astronomical observatory in the province, the Kingston Observatory was established in 1855 after a solar eclipse aroused public interest in astronomical studies. Under the auspices of a committee of British military officers and gentleman amateurs a frame observatory was built here. It was transferred to the control of Queen's College in 1861 and within a year a new brick structure had been erected on the site. Staffed by Nathan Fellowes Dupuis, an able mathematician, the observatory, in addition to making conventional astronomical observations, produced barometric and thermal readings, fixed meridians for surveying and provided a time service. In 1881 it was moved to Queen’s and today four cylindrical stones, former supports for the telescope, are all that remain of the old observatory building.,
The first optical astronomical observatory in the province,
the Kingston Observatory was established in 1855 after
a solar eclipse aroused public interest in astronomical studies. Under the auspices of a committee of British military
officers and gentleman amateurs a frame observatory was
built here. It was transferred to the control of Queen's
College in 1861 and within a year a new brick structure
had been erected on the site. Staffed by Nathan Fellowes
Dupuis, an able mathematician, the observatory, in addition
to making conventional astronomical observations, produced
barometric and thermal readings, fixed meridians for surveying and provided a time service. In 1881 it was moved
to Queen’s and today four cylindrical stones, former supports for the telescope, are all that remain of the old observatory building.
Premier observatoire astronomique munt d'un télescope optique dans la province, l'Observatoire de Kingston fut crée
en 1855 après une éclipse solaire qui éveilla l'intérêt du
public pour l'astronomie. Sous les auspices d'un comité
composé d'officiers de l'armée britannique et de “gentils-hommes
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dilettantes", une structure en bois fut construite
sur cet emplacement. A compter de 1861, l'Observatoire
releva du Collège Queen's et, moins d'un an après, on érigeait
une nouvelle structure en brique. L'Observatoire retint les
services d'un mathématicien de talent, Nathan Fellowes Dupuis,
qui, outre les observations astronomiques d'usage, effectuait
des lectures barométriques et thermiques, repérait les méridiens pour les travaux d'arpentage et donnait l'heure. En
1881, l'Observatoire fut déménagé au Collège Queen's, et il
n'en reste aujourd'hui que les quatre pierres cylindriques
qui servaient de support au télescope.
Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Citizenship and Culture.
Location. 44° 13.517′ N, 76° 29.359′ W. Marker is in Kingston, Ontario. Marker can be reached from Barrie Street. This marker is located off a walking trail in City Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 79 Barrie St, Kingston ON K7L K7L, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Militia Garrison 1837-38 (about
More about this marker. Kingston is independent from the surrounding Frontenac County.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2023, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2023, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
