Σελίδες

20.1.09

The Observatory of Corfu (1924-1940), Astronomical Society of Corfu, Corfu, 2003, a book by George Zoumpos



The existence and activity of an observatory in Corfu from1924 until 1940, as well as that of an Astronomical Society (the first in Greece) since 1927, is only known to a few people (even among Corfiots).
His existence came forth in April 1989, when complaints were lodged about the demolition of the remaining dome of the installations. The demolition was unfortunately not avoided, but a long search began, in order to gather information, so that the history of this very important scientific movement of the Middlewar could be recorded.



The search lasted thirteen year, as no worthwhile information with respect to the activity of the “Astronomical Society” was to be found. Its library and astronomical instruments were lost, and the main source of information is the magazine Urania and newspapers issues of the time.




It is difficult to estimate the work and offer of the “Astronomical Society of Greece” as, beating the difficulties in communication, that seem enormous even for today’s technical achievements, it managed to create an extended network of members and correspondants in Greece, as well as abroad. Even though it was but an amateur society, it gathered around it a great part of the Greek scientific community, and ensured the collaboration of many foreign scientists.


Felix Lamech


Trough the pages of Urania much knowledge concerning astronomical phenomena was brought down to the public, and many scientific problems of the time were presented.
A series of photos which are most likely to have come from the Reading Room and Library of the “Astronomical Society” are kept in the Public Library of Corfu, and copies of the photos in question were for the present edition
The Observatory of Corfu (1924-1940), Astronomical Society of Corfu, Corfu, 2003

George Zoumpos,
ISBN 960-87864-0-1