Información General

The origins of the Royal Institute and Observatory of the Spanish Navy in San Fernando, the oldest observatory in Spain, go back to the 18th century. The eminent sailor and scientist Jorge Juan, captain of the Midshipmen Company as of 1751, put forward to the Marquis of la Ensenada the idea of building an observatory in the Castle of La Villa (Cadiz) to help train future Navy officers in astronomy, a most necessary science for navigation purposes.

So in 1753, the ‘Royal Observatory of Cadiz’ was established as an annex to the Midshipmen Academy. From then on, this observatory began to enjoy great prestige among the European astronomic community thanks to the important scientific endeavors conducted by Luis Godin or Vicente Tofiño and also to the technical and scientific support acquired by the Enlightenment expeditions overseas during the last third of the 18th century.

In 1798 the Observatory was transferred to the Isle of León to the current building designed by the Marquis of Ureña. From 1804 on, the observatory was no longer attached to the naval academy and became an independent institution: the Royal Observatory.

During its 250 years-old history, and apart from the original astronomical tasks, new missions were added like the calculation of ephemerides, publication of the Nautical Almanac, courses on higher studies, storeroom of chronometers and naval instruments, meteorological, seismic and magnetic observations and the scientific determination of the hour.

In agreement with the current regulations, the Royal Institute and Observatory of the Spanish Navy (ROA in its Spanish initials) is entrusted with the following tasks:

• Theoretical studies and calculations of ephemerides, mainly those related to nautical and geodesic applications.

• Collaborations with the International Astronomical Union and other scientific organizations, sharing theoretical studies and astronomical observations in many aspects ranging from celestial mechanics to astral positioning.

• Determination, maintenance and dissemination of physical and astronomical time scales in conformity with international requirements.

• Collaboration with the International Geophysics and Geodesic Union, as well as other similar institutions, in areas such as geomagnetism and seismology by means of theoretical and experimental studies and field surveys.

• Execution of all research tasks ordered by the Spanish Navy Staff. Training and further education of its own scientists and provide physical-mathematical teaching to senior and junior officers.

• Advice in areas related to the measurement, conservation and distribution of time; and more specifically on watch and chronograph making. The ROA is responsible for the standardization and certification of all chronographs used in navigation.

• The procurement, conservation, classification, repair and study of watches and chronometers used in the Spanish Navy and, upon request, those used by the Merchant Marine.

Organization of the Royal Institute and Observatory of the Spanish Navy:

• Head Office
  • Technical Secretary’s Office
    • Library
  • Assistant Head Office
    • Ephemerides Section
      • Ephemerides
      • Calculus Center
    • Astronomy Section
      • Meridian Astronomy
      • Photographic Astronomy
    • Hour Section
      • Hour
      • Naval Chronometric
      • Electronics and calibration
    • Geophysics Section
      • Geomagnetism
      • Seismology
      • Satellites
    • Adjutancy
      • Small supplies
      • General Services
      • Workshops
  • Economic Section

Address:

• Royal Institute and Observatory of the Spanish Navy
• Plaza de las Tres Marinas s/n
• E-11110
• San Fernando (Cádiz)

Tel: +34 956 545 099

Fax: +34 956 599 366

The Royal Institute and Observatory of the Spanish Navy in San Fernando is located, since 1798, in the city of San Fernando, in the place known as Pago de Torrealta. Its geographical position is 36º 27' 42'' North latitude and 6º 12' 20'' West longitude. Located in the Gulf of Cadiz, (SW of the Iberian Peninsula), San Fernando belongs to the province of Cadiz.