THE OBSERVATIONS AND RECORDS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY OF THE JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY

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THE OBSERVATIONS AND RECORDS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY OF THE JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY

Journal Title: Studia Historiae Scientiarum - Year 2010, Vol 10, Issue

Abstract

The author presented the short history of the meteorological station at the Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University in Cracow City. It was founded in 1792 on 1 May. The first head of Observatory, mathematician and astronomer Professor Jan Śniadecki personally began records of mercury thermometers and barometers indications. The first instruction to making the observations was written in Polish by Śniadecki. Series of measurements of values air pressure and air temperature is continued to present day at the same place. From 1794 to 1825 observations were made at various times, with some interruptions for reasons of changes in the staff and directors of Observatory. Austrian astronomer Professor Maximilian Weisse was engaged by the University in 1825 (1825-1862). He resumed the meteorological observations in fixed times and published the papers, first of all barometric tables. Next director, of many years’ standing until 1902 – Professor Franciszek Karliński published a lot of papers about courses of different meteorological elements at climatic conditions of Galicia on the base of series of measurements at meteorological station in Observatory. Series were permanently completed by measurements of rainfall (from 1849), wind parameters, insolation, radiation, cloudiness. Dr Daniel Wierzbicki, research fellow in Observatory was very active observer, teacher and a publicist. Later directors of Astronomical Observatory, geophysicist Professor Maurycy Pius Rudzki (Head of Observatory 1906-1916) and famous Polish astronomer – Professor Tadeusz Banachiewicz (Head of Observatory 1919-1954), later directors – Professor Eugeniusz Rybka (from 1958 to 1968) and Professor Karol Kozieł (from 1968 to 1975) kept the station in good conditions. The station was taken over by Department of Climatology in the Institute of Geography at the Jagiellonian University, without a change place. Series of measurements and archival materials are of unusual value from the point of view of various branches of meteorology and climatology. It is to the astronomers, their initiative, activity, orderliness and conscientiousness in their performance of research the series of instrumental and visual observations and archival materials we have the rich materials to an attempt of solutions of many science problems. The long time series of meteorological observations may be the very valuable contribution to an examination of a great contemporary problem material, namely the global warming of climate.

Authors and Affiliations

Janina TREPIŃSKA

Keywords

Obserwacje pogody Obserwatorium Astronomoiczne UJ

EP ID EP116454
DOI -
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