MARIAN ROTARU
Directia Topografica Militara
90 YEARS OF LIFE AND SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL
ACTIVITY OF THE MILITARY ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY
(Summary)
The need for drawing up the map of Romania and the topographic plan of Bucharest
persuaded the General Staff to set up the Military Astronomical Observatory
in 1894 – 1985 in Dealul Piscului, Bucharest. This is the first astronomical
observatory devoted to geodetic studies. In the past, astronomical observatories
were set up, after the Sarmizegetusa Regia Sanctuary (1st cent. B.C. – 1st
cent. A.D.), at Oradea (1445 – 1465), and Iassy (1874).
The Observatory was planned to have two pavilions, including 6 concrete pilasters,
one of which, the western pilaster was chosen to be the National Fundamental
Astronomical Point and the link point in the world astrogeodetic network. The
astronomical latitude of this point was successively determined in 1895, 1898
and 1899, the astronomical azimuth toward Foisorul de Foc in 1898 – this
is the country's fundamental azimuth – and the astronomical longitude
was determined four times (the first in 1900, within a Romanian-German cooperation
undertaking; the second in 1933, during the second worldwide longitude observations
in a number of points, organised by the International Union of Geodesy together
with the International Union of Astronomy; the third in 1933 and the fourth
in 1958, within a Romanian-Bulgarian cooperation undertaking, occasioned by
the International Geophysical Year 1957).
The last longitude value is defined in the geocentric coordinate system of
the Earth.
From its establishment until now, the Military Astronomical Observatory has
carried out a very large number of position astronomical observations (latitude,
longitude and azimuth), both at the centre and in the first and second order
triangulation points in the field, thus contributing to a task of great practical
importance – the establishment of the state geodetic networks of Romania.
At present, all the astronomical measurements are gathered in a data bank,
together wit the observed stars catalogue.
Besides these works, the Military Astronomical Observatory has carried out
in these 90 years of its existence, gravimetric, magnetic field determinations
and cosmical geodesy works.
One can assert that it represents a scientific institution of our national
culture, having gained broad international recognition. Its special value is
granted both by the measurements carried out over a long time with a view to
permanently improving the reference geodetic data and by the fact that it offers
the starting point for all the scientific and practical works carried out in
this country for the needs to the national economy, the country's defense and
for international collaboration.
Key words: Geodesy, Astronomy, Astronomical Observatory, Astrogeodetic nework,
Triangulation network.