Throughout the whole of human history, the night sky has in its infinite mystery and beauty encouraged us to observe and explore the unknown, and to find our place in this vast universe of ours. Already back in antiquity, ancient civilizations, guided by their wish to know and to discover the night sky, went on to invent the first calendars and to reliably predict the comings and goings of the different seasons of the year. As time progressed so did our knowledge of astronomy, which is to this today considered one of the fundamental branches of sciences. Many of the technologies that make up an important part of our daily lives today are actually the result of tools which were originally developed to help in skywatching later on being implemented into everyday life. With the development of astronomy, the first astronomical lookouts, today know under the term astronomical observatories, were gradually developed as the need arose for more detailed observation. zadovoljile
Today, many different styles of observatories can be found both on Earth as well as in space, which are being employed for different types of research. Observatories are no longer solely used for observing the night sky, but, with the advancements in their technologies and research done with their help, they aid in further understanding and preventing against natural disasters, and with it contribute to expanding the sum of all human knowledge.
Precisely because of this great wish to educate the youth, it is of vital importance we ensure that appropriate education is provided in our home country as well. Slovenia still cannot boast of owning a public astronomical observatory that could help in the research being done by the future scientists pursing their degrees on the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. The observatory that is currently being used for education purposes is only appropriate for initial familiarisation with and handling of smaller telescopes, while the only way the students are able to experience more challenging work is through the collaboration on international projects. In Slovenia, one may also find a number of astronomical societies that meet monthly and organise public astronomical observations.
In Slovenia, a demand has formed for a science centre that could also be used for astronomical research. This Master’s thesis presents a concept of a universal astronomical observatory, which is then constructed on the location of Smrekovec as an example of a sustainable model in a natural environment. The observatory is designed as an multipurpose system that combines scientific research, education and popularisation of science tourism. This kind of project allows for a systematic research of the night sky in the region of Central Europe, helps spread awareness about light pollution issues, and encourages the public to educate themselves on matters previously unknown to them.
The project emphasises the issues that arise when projecting architecture in a natural environment, and the use of natural materials that help reduce the carbon footprint and the impact on the local biosphere. This architectural concept allows for a non-invasive construction and is designed to be as self-sufficient as possible. In addition, it helps to preserve natural habitats while also providing quality astronomical observation.
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