Q. Comprehension questions. Answer the following questions. What was the significance of K.A.R. Bosscha to the observatory?

Question

Bosccha Observatory, which was established in 1923, is a centre for the study of astronomy in Indonesia. It is located in Lembang, West Java, about 1,300 m above sea level. It is the highest peak around Bandung so that the observatory always gets clear sky. It is named after Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha, the former owner of six hectares of tea plantation, where the observatory stands. He donated the area and the building to the Netherland-lndies Astronomical Society.

In spite of its age, this Dutch heritage building is magnificent, even regarded as a landmark of Bandung. Like other astronomical observatories, it has a dome that can be opened during observation and closed when the telescope is not used. The dome can rotate 360 degrees, enabling the observer to observe the sky in any direction. The steel dome weighs 56 tons and its diameter is 14,5 m.

The observatory houses Large telescopes, that can still be used today. The Zeiss Double Refractor, whose Length is 10,7 m, is used to observe visual binary stars, planets, comets and other heavy bodies. It has two objective lenses, each with a diameter of 60 em. It is the Largest telescope that the observatory has. The Schmidt telescope, whose length is 25 m, is used to observe galactic structure. It is also called the Bima Sakti Telescope. The Bamberg Refractor is used to determine stellar magnitude, stellar distance, and photometric studies of eclipsing stars, and solar imaging. The Cassegrain GOTO, which is a gift from the Japanese Government, is the first digital telescope at the observatory. Finally, the Union Refractor, whose length is 150 em (59 inches), is used to observe lunar eclipse, solar eclipses and sunspot photography.

From 1959 until now, Bosscha Observatory has been managed by the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). The observatory has an important role in facilitating research and development of the study of astronomy in Indonesia. Moreover, in 2008, Bosscha observatory was designated as one of The National Vital Objects that has to be maintained as an object of cultural heritage.