observatories
Astronomical viewing facilities
Observatories are buildings or facilities equipped for observing astronomical, meteorological, or other natural phenomena.
The most familiar type houses a large telescope, often with a rotating dome: The observatory on the hilltop opened for public viewing.
Weather observatories monitor atmospheric conditions.
By extension, any elevated vantage point for watching may be called an observatory.
Optical magnifying instruments
- galaxiesGravitationally bound stellar assemblies
- nebulaeInterstellar gas clouds
- cosmologyStudy of universal structure
- astrophysicsPhysics of celestial bodies
quasars · supernovae · planets · moons · eclipses · comets · asteroids · blackholes
Recognized celestial groupings
- night-skyOverhead darkness after dusk
- celestialOf the sky above
- zodiacCelestial belt of signs
- astrophotographyImaging celestial objects
twilight · aurora · cosmos · starlight · darkness · binoculars · naked-eye · planetarium
Rounded vault forming roof
- cupolaSmall rooftop dome
- rotundaCircular domed chamber
- slitNarrow elongated opening
- equatorialOf Earth's central line
pier · shutter · retractable · tower · remote · mountaintop · altitude · hilltop
Pleasing distant scene
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- viewpointWay of seeing things
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
overlook · vantage · scenic · sweeping · expansive · breathtaking · picturesque · bird's-eye
Ongoing observation of something
- watchPortable timekeeping device
- lookoutWatcher or vista point
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- trackingMonitoring location over time
seismic · volcanic · atmospheric · meteorological · early-warning · detection · instruments · sensors
telescopes
Optical magnifying instruments
- galaxiesGravitationally bound stellar assemblies
- nebulaeInterstellar gas clouds
- cosmologyStudy of universal structure
astrophysics · quasars · supernovae · planets · moons · eclipses · comets · asteroids · blackholes · exoplanets
constellations
Recognized celestial groupings
astrophotography · twilight · aurora · cosmos · starlight · darkness · binoculars · naked-eye · planetarium · amateur
dome
Rounded vault forming roof
equatorial · pier · shutter · retractable · tower · remote · mountaintop · altitude · hilltop · rotating
vista
Pleasing distant scene
panorama · overlook · vantage · scenic · sweeping · expansive · breathtaking · picturesque · bird's-eye · skyline
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- watchPortable timekeeping device
- lookoutWatcher or vista point
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
tracking · seismic · volcanic · atmospheric · meteorological · early-warning · detection · instruments · sensors · readings
- Haleakalasummit crater, crater, sunrise viewing, crater rim, cinder cones
- scientific progressinventions, scientific expeditions, natural history, geology, botany
- space scienceastronomy class, planetary science, cosmology, planets, stars
- stargazingtelescope, stargazing guides, night sky, stars, constellation
- campus featureslibrary, libraries, dorm, dorms, dormitory
- Mesoamerican civilizationAztec Empire, human sacrifice, jaguar warriors, priesthood, temple complexes
observatoriesplanetariums
Domed rooms projecting celestial displays
exhibition halls · museums · broadcast stations · simulators · science centers
observatoriesbunkers
Fortified underground chambers
vaults · bomb shelters · crypts · cellars · dungeons
observatorieslaboratories
Facilities for scientific investigation
test sites · particle accelerators · wind tunnels · manufacturing plants · factories
- ancient observatoriesEarly astronomical monitoring structures
- space observatoriesSpacecraft housing astronomical instruments
observe, observer, observation, observed, observing, observable, observers, observes, unobserved