Nadur Observatory

The Nadur Observatory is an astronomical observatory located in Nadur, Gozo, Malta, on the Maltese islands. Operated by the Institute of Space Sciences and Astronomy at the University of Malta, it recently captured its first light, marking a significant milestone for the scientific community in Malta and Gozo.^[1]

Nadur Observatory

The picture of the observatory
Organization	Institute of Space Sciences & Astronomy, University of Malta
Location	Nadur, Gozo, Malta
Coordinates	36°03′34″N 14°16′25″E
Established	May 19, 2023 (2023-05-19)

Prior to construction

Funding

The Directorate of EcoGozo provided funding for the construction of the Nadur Observatory within the Ministry for Gozo, and the total cost of this project is estimated to be approximately 160,000.^[2]

Site selection

The site selection for the observatory took into account comprehensive studies on light pollution. Given the significant light pollution challenges in Malta, the chosen site in Nadur was carefully determined through these studies, aiming to identify an optimal location for astronomical observations.^[3] The observatory is built on an existing structure and houses a Ritchey-Chrétien mirror telescope with a half-meter-wide aperture, a configuration commonly utilized in professional research telescopes. Equipped with advanced instrumentation, the observatory's capabilities are enhanced for astronomical observations.^[4]

Current use

The Nadur Observatory serves multiple purposes, including conducting research projects, providing specialized training for astronomy students in data acquisition and analysis, and engaging the general public through the dissemination of captivating space photographs and educational activities. Professor Joseph Caruana, the project coordinator and member of the Maltese Astronomical Society's Committee,^[5] expressed his excitement regarding the observatory's successful first light and emphasized its potential for further scientific advancements.^[6][1]

First light

The observatory utilized its telescope to obtain images of certain celestial objects. Among the notable images obtained were the crescent moon and three distant galaxies: Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), Bode's Galaxy (M81), and Sunflower Galaxy (M63),^[7] as well as a supernova in the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101).^[8]