![]() ![]() Among these was a very accurate clock made by Benjamin Vulliamy, ‘Clockmaker to the Crown’, which provided “standard time” to important government buildings in London. The King also maintained a collection of clocks and watches within the building. The existing glass cabinets constructed within the two main octagonal parts of the building, and which have recently been restored, housed ‘some excellent mathematical instruments, a collection of subjects in natural history, well preserved, an excellent apparatus for philosophical experiments, and a collection of ores from His Majesty’s mines in the forests in Germany’. The Observatory was thereafter used regularly by the King for various purposes including providing a school house for the education of the royal children. The Observatory’s telescope cupola is the oldest of its type anywhere in the World. The construction of the Observatory was completed in time to view the Transit on 3rd June, 1769. Chambers was a great admirer of the Italian architect Andrea Palladio and had earlier been acquainted with the Swedish Astronomer Anders Celsius who built the Uppsala Observatory in Sweden in 1740. Chambers was the most famous English architect of his time and one of his subsequent important commissions was the design of Somerset House in 1776. King George’s favourite architect Sir William Chambers was given the task of designing the observatory. This rare astronomical event would permit astronomers to calculate with greater accuracy the size of the solar system and provide an estimate of the distance between the Earth and the Sun. King George III, ever fascinated with the science of his time, early in the process conceived the idea of constructing an observatory within his park with the general intention of being able to nurture his interest in astronomy and in particular observe the transit of the Planet Venus across the face of the Sun predicted to occur in 1769. The Old Deer Park offered extensive views across the Thames to the Norman Church at Isleworth and the impressive Syon House. The King entrusted the landscaping of his expanded deer park to Capability Brown – one of England’s greatest landscape architects. These buildings then stood on the site where the great Carthusian Monastery – built on the orders of Henry V in 1414 – had once commanded the landscape prior to it being partially dismantled during the dissolution of the monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII and finally completely under Queen Elizabeth 1. With this goal in mind, he acquired and demolished existing buildings at the hamlet of West Sheen on the extreme West of the Old Deer Park. King George III, who at the time had his country retreat in nearby Richmond Lodge and had only recently ascended to the throne, wished to create an impressive park for his private use. The area in which it is situated has an interesting history. It’s arcadian setting in just under 7 acres must be one of the most beautiful properties in the London area. ![]() Visiting the George Observatory can be the experience of a lifetime! Here are some basic “ Do’s and Don’ts”when going out for an enjoyable night of stargazing.The King’s Observatory, located in the Old Deer Park, Richmond, Surrey, was commissioned in 1769 by King George III. Visit Brazos Bend State Park’s website purchase separate park entrance reservation. The George Observatory is located within Brazos Bend State Park. Tickets can be purchased via our online box office. Tickets will not be available for purchase onsite. Access inside the domes and viewing through telescope eyepieces is limited, and subject to availability & weather. Your ticket to this event is a timed entry admission, and a paper or electronic receipt is required for entry. Observatory tickets are offered on a timed and limited capacity basis, and must be purchased in advance. Amateur astronomers will guide you on your journey through the heavens, whether you are looking at night sky constellations, planets in our solar system or deep sky objects out in space. Saturday night stargazing is back! Enjoy the wonders of the universe on the upper deck of the Observatory with constellation laser tours, a combination of deck and dome telescopes, or captured live camera feeds. Get back to exploring the galaxy! The Houston Museum of Natural Science is investing in the educational and recreational future of Fort Bend County with a revamped experience at the historic George Observatory, working in collaboration with our friends at Brazos Bend State Park. ![]()
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