History of Astronomy
Our researches
These pages are dedicated to the history of astronomy. So far we have done some research and writing on the life and work of 18th and 19th century French astronomers. Our work on the life and times of Francois Felix Tisserand has been published and our short biography of this great astronomer has been well received by the history of astronomy community. Our work continues and we are compiling a further publication put the life and work of several french astronomers in the 18th and 19th century in context and complementary achievements. This is ongoing with our next publication due out later this year.
But to set the scene for this fascinating era when major discoveries were being made we will see pictures of 2 places which are especially relevant to this time in the world of astronomy and astrophysics.
Photographs of the Cluny Museum (le Musée de Cluny) and formerly the town house of the abbots of Cluny (L'hôtel de Cluny) in 1890 and again today are shown below. Then, below these, are photographs of the Meudon Observatory (l’Observatoire de Meudon) in 1860 and today. Regular readers will recall we provided a brief summary of our visit to Meudon in our blog post. Both these historic buildings are wonderfully attractive structures and two of our personal favourites in the Paris area. Last year (2019) Meudon was closed to the public for renovation work but will hopefully re-open for visits soon.
The Cluny Museum is impressive by its gothic style architecture and is situated in a shady garden in the Latin quarter of central Paris (5th arrondissement) near the Sorbonne and the Boulevard Saint Germain. The abbots of Cluny lived there from the 13th century. However in the 18th century astronomers such as Joseph Delisle, Jérôme de Lalande and Charles Messier used the tower of the Cluny Hotel as an observatory. Then in 1843 the building became a museum which houses some of the world's most important collections of international objects and works of art dating from medieval times.
These pages are dedicated to the history of astronomy. So far we have done some research and writing on the life and work of 18th and 19th century French astronomers. Our work on the life and times of Francois Felix Tisserand has been published and our short biography of this great astronomer has been well received by the history of astronomy community. Our work continues and we are compiling a further publication put the life and work of several french astronomers in the 18th and 19th century in context and complementary achievements. This is ongoing with our next publication due out later this year.
But to set the scene for this fascinating era when major discoveries were being made we will see pictures of 2 places which are especially relevant to this time in the world of astronomy and astrophysics.
Photographs of the Cluny Museum (le Musée de Cluny) and formerly the town house of the abbots of Cluny (L'hôtel de Cluny) in 1890 and again today are shown below. Then, below these, are photographs of the Meudon Observatory (l’Observatoire de Meudon) in 1860 and today. Regular readers will recall we provided a brief summary of our visit to Meudon in our blog post. Both these historic buildings are wonderfully attractive structures and two of our personal favourites in the Paris area. Last year (2019) Meudon was closed to the public for renovation work but will hopefully re-open for visits soon.
The Cluny Museum is impressive by its gothic style architecture and is situated in a shady garden in the Latin quarter of central Paris (5th arrondissement) near the Sorbonne and the Boulevard Saint Germain. The abbots of Cluny lived there from the 13th century. However in the 18th century astronomers such as Joseph Delisle, Jérôme de Lalande and Charles Messier used the tower of the Cluny Hotel as an observatory. Then in 1843 the building became a museum which houses some of the world's most important collections of international objects and works of art dating from medieval times.
The Meudon Observatory is an elegant building set in green tranquil grounds in an elevated position in the town of Meudon which is just 12km south of central Paris. It is entirely dedicated to solar physics and was founded in 1876 by Pierre Jules Janssen its first director. It is situated on the site of the former château of Meudon which was ruined by fire in 1871 and today it offers the biggest collection of solar photographs in the world. In 1926 Meudon amalgamated with the Paris Observatory.
Quick links
Cluny musée Cluny Museum
L’Observatoire de Meudon The Meudon Observatory
L'astronome Jean Tarde The astronomer Jean Tarde
L’Observatoire de Jolimont Toulouse The Toulouse Observatory
Ces pages sont consacrées à l'histoire de l'astronomie. Jusqu'à présent nous avons étudié la vie des astronomes français du 18e et 19e siècles. C'est un travail continu et notre prochain livre sera publié plus tard cette année.
Mais d’abord vous verrez deux photos en haut de la page. Celle de gauche est le Musée de Cluny et celle de droite est l'Observatoire de Meudon. Ces deux beaux bâtiments sont très pertinants à l'histoire de l'astronomie française.
Avec son style gothique le musée de Cluny se trouve dans un jardin ombragé dans le Quartier latin de Paris (5e arrondissement) près de la Sorbonne et du Boulevard Saint Germain. Il servait à loger les abbés de l'ordre de Cluny à partir du XIIIe siècle, et au 18e et 19e siècles des astronomes comme Joseph Delisle, Jérôme de Lalande et Charles Messier utilisait la tour de l'hôtel de Cluny comme une observatoire. En 1843 le bâtiment est devenu un musée qui abrite l'une des plus importantes collections mondiales d'objects et d'oeuvres d'art de l'époque médiévale.
L'Observatoire de Meudon est un observatoire entièrement consacré à la physique solaire fondé en 1876 par Pierre Jules Janssen son premier directeur. La ville de Meudon se trouve à 12km de Paris et l'observatoire se trouve sur les hauteurs de la ville sur le site de l'ancien château de Meudon (abîmé par une incendie en 1871). Aujourd’hui Meudon offre la plus grande collection de clichés solaires au monde. En 1926 Meudon a uni ses forces à celles de l’observatoire de Paris.
Cluny musée Cluny Museum
L’Observatoire de Meudon The Meudon Observatory
L'astronome Jean Tarde The astronomer Jean Tarde
L’Observatoire de Jolimont Toulouse The Toulouse Observatory
Ces pages sont consacrées à l'histoire de l'astronomie. Jusqu'à présent nous avons étudié la vie des astronomes français du 18e et 19e siècles. C'est un travail continu et notre prochain livre sera publié plus tard cette année.
Mais d’abord vous verrez deux photos en haut de la page. Celle de gauche est le Musée de Cluny et celle de droite est l'Observatoire de Meudon. Ces deux beaux bâtiments sont très pertinants à l'histoire de l'astronomie française.
Avec son style gothique le musée de Cluny se trouve dans un jardin ombragé dans le Quartier latin de Paris (5e arrondissement) près de la Sorbonne et du Boulevard Saint Germain. Il servait à loger les abbés de l'ordre de Cluny à partir du XIIIe siècle, et au 18e et 19e siècles des astronomes comme Joseph Delisle, Jérôme de Lalande et Charles Messier utilisait la tour de l'hôtel de Cluny comme une observatoire. En 1843 le bâtiment est devenu un musée qui abrite l'une des plus importantes collections mondiales d'objects et d'oeuvres d'art de l'époque médiévale.
L'Observatoire de Meudon est un observatoire entièrement consacré à la physique solaire fondé en 1876 par Pierre Jules Janssen son premier directeur. La ville de Meudon se trouve à 12km de Paris et l'observatoire se trouve sur les hauteurs de la ville sur le site de l'ancien château de Meudon (abîmé par une incendie en 1871). Aujourd’hui Meudon offre la plus grande collection de clichés solaires au monde. En 1926 Meudon a uni ses forces à celles de l’observatoire de Paris.
