Gothard Historical Astrophotographic Plate Archive
by
Ildiko Vincze
Gothard Astrophysical Observatory of Lorand Eoetvoes University
Coauthors: Istvan Jankovics

Eugen von Gothard (1857-1909) established his astronomical observatory on his estate in Hereny, near Szombathely, in 1881. The first observation at the new observatory happened on October 20, 1881. The main instrument used to be the 254 mm Newton telescope manufactured by the Browning Company (London, 1874). The most relevant part of Gothard's activity is the photography of various kind of objects: planets, comets, nebulae and galaxies and the spectroscopy of comets, stars and nebulae. He was the first in the world in the autumn of 1886, who was able to take a plate of the Ring Nebula (M57), which clearly shows the central star. From 1883, in the course of his spectroscopic observations he pointed out the periodical appearance and disappearance of hydrogen and helium emission lines in the beta Lyrae. During the investigation of the spectrum of Novae Aurigae Gothard found a principal relationship regarding the connection between novas and planetary nebulae in 1892. The scientific inheritance of Gothard is maintained by Gothard Astrophysical Observatory of Lorand Eoetvoes University. A valuable part of this material is the astronomical plate collection of 455 pieces taken between 1882 and 1900.

Date received: November 26, 2004