The Madras Observatory owes its existence to Sir Charles Oakeley, a
former Governor of the Madras Presidency and
Michael Topping Arch, a
sailor and an astronomer, who was responsible for building it.
The Observatory was established for promoting the
knowledge of Astronomy,
Geography and
Navigation in 1792 under the administration of Sir Charles, the then Governor of
Madras. William Petrie, a noted English astronomer and
member of the Government of Madras, supported Sir Oakeley in his effort.
William Petrie had some five years earlier built an observatory at his own
expense. This observatory was probably the first modern astronomical
observatory in the East.
The 15 feet tall granite pillar weighing 10 tonnes, which carried the
original transit equipment is still preserved and has the name of the architect,
Michael Topping and the year A.D.MDCCXCII inscribed on it. Tamil and
Telugu inscriptions are carved on the pillar so that, ' posterity may be
informed a thousand years hence of the period when the mathematical sciences
were first planted by British liberality in Asia'.
Michael
Topping who was responsible for the architectural design of the observatory,
acquired several astronomical instruments, some of them from William Petrie.
Among the instruments that he had were achromatic refractors, astronomical
clocks with compound pendulums, and an excellent transit instrument. The program
included observation of stars, the Moon, and the eclipses of Jupiter's
satellites. The first astronomer was J Goldingham, FRS, who began
recording the meteorological observations in 1796. For more than a century,
measurements of stellar positions and brightness were made. Some of the notable
Government Astronomers who headed the observatory during this period were
Goldingham, Taylor, Jacob and Pogson. Pogson is quite well known for
the Pogson's scale in photometric work. For thirty years from 1861, N R Pogson
held the post of 'Astronomer of Madras observatory'. He also held the post of
'Meteorological Reporter to the Government of Madras', for many years and was
assisted in his work by his wife and daughter.
In
1899, R L Jones, Professor of Physics, Madras Presidency College
was appointed as part-time meteorologist of the Madras observatory. The post was
abolished in 1926 and a full-time Assistant Meteorologist was appointed. At the
end of the nineteenth century, the Kodaikanal Observatory was
constructed, which later subsumed the role of the Madras observatory. From then
onwards the Madras observatory had a less significant role in weather
forecasting and time service.
The Madras Observatory survived for five more years. And in 1931, it was
reduced to the status of an ordinary Pilot Balloon Observatory. Until
then, the Madras observatory was supplying the time signal throughout the
Indian Telegraph system and issuing the Madras Daily Weather Report,
which it had commenced in October 1893.
Today all that is left of the Madras Observatory is
the five monuments that are kept in a separate enclosure for visitors at the
Regional Meteorological Centre in Nungambakkam.
Monument 1: This is a granite slab with a
inscription in Latin. It was fixed in 1792, on the southern wall of the
observatory room. It was shifted to its present position in 1948.
Monument 2: This is a granite pillar which was erected by Sir Charles
Oakeley, about which we have also metioned earlier in the article. On top of
this pillar, there was a 12-inch altitude and azimuth instrument. The
benchmark referred to in this inscription is presumably the oldest one in
India, with reference to which all Geodetic survey measurements were made.
The inscription in Tamil, Telugu and Urdu date back to 1792 and more or less
correspond to the Latin inscription on Monument 1.
Monuments 3 and 4: The monuments numbered 3 and 4 are granite
pillars which were erected in 1860 for monitoring a new transit circle.
Monument 5 and 6: Monuments 5 and 6 are also pillars of which one
was constructed in 1792 and the other presumably in 1860 for the standard
clocks at the observatory.
Just
one day at this Museum will not do justice to its collection. That we
guarantee you.
The first Government-sponsored Museum in the country
opened in Chennai in 1851. It is housed in the Pantheon Complex, which
gives the road that lines up in front, its name.
Its collection of Bronzes and Buddhist antiques is
among the best. Especially impressive are the Arms gallery, its
pre-historic collection, its philatelic collection, its
antique jewellery and the musical instruments collection.
Set
up in memory of industrialist B. M. Birla, the Planetarium takes
visitors on an information-rich journey through space. A 236-seater
hemispherical theatre houses a computerised projector that creates a
simulated unravelling of the astronomical mysteries. The right place to
kick-start amateur night-sky observation as a hobby.
Open 10.00 am to 5.45 pm.
Closed on Mondays.
PERIYAR SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
Adjacent
to the Planetarium, at the Periyar Science and Technology Centre,
scientific inventions are explained through working models. Among the
several galleries here, are those on Transport, Energy, Material
Science, Life Science, Physical Science, Innovation, Electronics and
Communication. The campus also facilitates learning while at play,
through its Science park, Traffic park and Eco park. One of the best
Study-tour destinations for school students.
NAGESWARA
PARK Opened to the public in October 1940, the park, which was
originally much smaller than it is today, was developed further after Ramayee
Ammal, M. Nainappa Mudaliyar, V. Kumaraswamy Raja and Aravamadhu Iyengar
donated a major portion of land adjacent to the park, in that same year.
The park at Luz corner, which remained neglected for more than a decade, was
again developed a couple of years ago with the initiative of the elected Council
that took charge at Ripon Building in 1996. The walkways, fountains and
garden benches have also attracted filmmakers for whom this park is a preferred
shoot location. New garden light fittings are an additional attraction for
visitors.
The park that is open to the public on all days (from 7 a.m. onward) has a
separate play area for children. The Corporation staff look after the
maintainence of play equipment. The park has a well-maintained garden with
varieties of trees like Lapostromea, Capsia Fistula and Tabulia
and foliage trees like Pungam, Neem, Palms, Ficus Religeosa and
Thespesia. Medicinal and Ornamental plants are also found here.
NATESAN PARK
Dr.
Natesan Park, in T.Nagar, attracts hundreds of visitors everyday.
The park, spread over 4 acres, with long walkways, fountains and garden
lights, was opened to the public on September 13, 1950, by the then Minister
of Agriculture, A.B.Shetty.
Situated in the heart of the city, the park has a variety of trees and
plants. Crotons, aralias, bougainvilleas, acalypha, ceesil
peniea, pulcharima, mahogany, neem and gulmohur.
Widely used by city residents for their morning and evening walks, it is the
only park maintained by the Corporation that has a separate tennis court for
coaching children. There is also a plant propagation centre and play zone for
children.
SIVAN PARK
Sivan Park
on P.T.Rajan Salai, K.K.Nagar, gives you more than the expected pleasure of a
leisurely stroll.
The visitor gets a chance to see various monument replicas, like that of the
Gateway of India. It is the only Corporation- maintained park where there
is a 15 feet high statue of Lord Siva, depicted in a posture of
meditation. The statue is designed in such a way that water flows down from the
head, from a height of about 15 feet, giving it a cascading effect.
In addition to well-maintained lawns, pathways and play area for children;
the park has a good collection of trees including Petophorum, Rain tree,
Gulmohur and shrubs like acalyppa, creepers and ground covers.
There is also a nursery that sells plants to visitors to the park.
The Tamil Nadu Housing Board originally developed the park when the
K.K.Nagar Housing layout was developed. It was later handed over to the
Municipal Corporation.
MAYDAY PARK
May Day
Park, originally known as Napier Park, is situated on Deputy Mayor
Kabalamoorthy Road in Chintadripet.
Spread over 14.5 acres, the Park is used to hold public meetings during the
May Day celebrations. Even political parties and associations take out rallies
from the park.
Adopted and maintained by Simpson & Co., May Day Park is divided into
two portions. The park, proper, is on the eastern side and on the western side
is a well-maintained playground used by the neighborhood children for cricket,
football, volleyball and badminton.
The Madras Observatory owes its existence to Sir Charles Oakeley, a
former Governor of the Madras Presidency and 
Michael
Topping who was responsible for the architectural design of the observatory,
acquired several astronomical instruments, some of them from William Petrie.
Among the instruments that he had were achromatic refractors, astronomical
clocks with compound pendulums, and an excellent transit instrument. The program
included observation of stars, the Moon, and the eclipses of Jupiter's
satellites. The first astronomer was J Goldingham, FRS, who began
recording the meteorological observations in 1796. For more than a century,
measurements of stellar positions and brightness were made. Some of the notable
Government Astronomers who headed the observatory during this period were
Goldingham, Taylor, Jacob and Pogson. Pogson is quite well known for
the Pogson's scale in photometric work. For thirty years from 1861, N R Pogson
held the post of 'Astronomer of Madras observatory'. He also held the post of
'Meteorological Reporter to the Government of Madras', for many years and was
assisted in his work by his wife and daughter.
Just
one day at this Museum will not do justice to its collection. That we
guarantee you.
Set
up in memory of industrialist B. M. Birla, the Planetarium takes
visitors on an information-rich journey through space. A 236-seater
hemispherical theatre houses a computerised projector that creates a
simulated unravelling of the astronomical mysteries. The right place to
kick-start amateur night-sky observation as a hobby.
Adjacent
to the Planetarium, at the Periyar Science and Technology Centre,
scientific inventions are explained through working models. Among the
several galleries here, are those on Transport, Energy, Material
Science, Life Science, Physical Science, Innovation, Electronics and
Communication. The campus also facilitates learning while at play,
through its Science park, Traffic park and Eco park. One of the best
Study-tour destinations for school students.
NAGESWARA
PARK
Dr.
Natesan Park, in T.Nagar, attracts hundreds of visitors everyday. 
Sivan Park
on P.T.Rajan Salai, K.K.Nagar, gives you more than the expected pleasure of a
leisurely stroll.
May Day
Park, originally known as Napier Park, is situated on Deputy Mayor
Kabalamoorthy Road in Chintadripet. 