My first Magazine Sky & Telescope - 01.2019 | Page 72

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p OBSERVING ON HIGH Designed by architect Martin Grünberg, the i ve-story tower
of the Berlin Observatory was erected over the north wing of the royal stables. The
second l oor of the tower was used by the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences for
its meetings, while the third l oor was reserved for observing activities. Gottfried Kirch
never had a chance to work at the new observatory, as he died six months before its
formal dedication.
p OUTSIDE THE WALLS The Berlin Observatory was constructed at the very edge of the city on what is known today as Dorotheenstrasse in the
Mitte district. Marked here in orange, the region was colloquially referred to as “the farmyard” (Am Bauhof) or “the back alley” (Hinter Gasse) in the
early 1700s. The observatory was added to the block of royal stables, highlighted here in blue, which had been built between 1677 and 1688.
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JA N UA RY 2 019 • SK Y & TELESCOPE
COELESTIS
The “Kirchin,” how-
ever, in spite of several
decades’ unceasing
work as assistants,
continued to miss of-
 cial recognition until
Christine, near the end
of her career,  nally
received some much-
deserved credit.