φ = 45° 16' 39", λ =13° 43' 34", h = 246,5 m.

"0nce a photograph of the Earth, taken from the outside, is available, a new idea as powerful as any in history will be let loose."

- Sir Fred Hoyle, 1948.

Promote us:

History of Istrian astronomy Istria from above - VSA Strato Explorer Balloon Flight All observatories in Croatia Observatory Manora - Mali Losinj

Observatory Manora - Mali Losinj

Observatory "Manor", Mali Losinj (1894. -1909.) was found by renting the villa for a period 15 years, when Spiridon Gopcevic came to Mali Losinj. Determined to start his career in astronomy he took for the opportunity to "stage name" Leo Brenner. The building, which still exists today, is located on the southern slope of the hill that descends to the port of Mali Losinj. The roof of the house has been modified additions cylindrical wooden structure, which she served as a "dome". In this space was located refractor telescope lens diameter of 178 mm, "Reinfelder and Hertel, great quality.

With a telescope, and there was then a standard set of extra accessories: eyepieces, rivets micrometer, the spectroscope and the camera. Regular observations begin 09. May 1894., observing mostly the planets. It turned out that the location is very good with a stable atmosphere, which is a quality instrument enabled the monitoring of hard detail visible, though there is scientific doubt about the correctness of some observations.

Many astronomers have used this time call the owner and visited the island of Losinj, such as the famous American astronomer Percival Lowell 1896. year. Library Observatory has grown to 4000 books, and 1899. he started with the release of the monthly "Astronomische Rundschau". Cessation "aid for political engagement," for the owner, began selling instruments and books, and finally termination of the observatory by leaving Spiridon Gopcevic, 1909. year.

In possession of the telescope, associated equipment and a large part of the library came to Don Nikola Miličević, friar, an astronomer and the last abbot of the monastery Blaca on the island of Brac, where they are today, after the closure of the monastery, the astronomical equipment and books inadequately housed and evaluated.