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1935-1964 Stavros Plakidis |
Stavros Plakidis works in the Observatory since 1915. In 1927 S. Plakidis is promoted to assistant astronomer and in 1928, with the recommendation of professor Eginitis, he continues his studies for two years in Greenwich, Cambridge, Paris, Strasbourg, and Heidelberg. In 1931 he is proclaimed Doctor of Mathematics and is nominated regular astronomer of NOA.
In 1935 Stavros Plakidis is elected Professor in the University of Athens and at the same time is nominated Supervisor of the Astronomical Department of NOA. In two years the NOA changes two Directors, firstly is nominated professor Nikolaos Kritikos, then Ilias Mariolopoulos. In 1937, Director of NOA is nominated Georgios Chors.
Professor Plakidis is already well-known astronomer
and continues his work in the field of the observational astrophysics. He publishes many papers in famous astronomical journals. Very well-known is his work on long-period variable stars in collaboration with professor Sir A. S. Eddington.
Stavros Plakidis makes many efforts to move the observations far from the city center. In 1936 the beginning of the Astronomical Station Penteli was set. But, the II World War significantly delayed the development of the station. At the end of his, about a half century, active carrier in NOA, he could see the results of this task, the new 63cm telescope in Penteli used extensively by the astronomers of the Institute. |
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Astronomical Station Penteli |
One of the first, very significant, actions of Professor S. Plakidis is to move the astronomical observations from the center of Athens. But, the Observatory's economical situation does not allow him to look for a site far from the city, as he wished.
After studying of few places, a hill named Koufos on Penteli mountain is selected in 1936. It is only about 15km from the Observatory, but these years it was a remote dark site.
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At the Astronomical Station Penteli in 1937 with the famous astronomer N. R. Russell |
Initially, there are carried out meteorological observations and in 1937 a small building with a dome is erected. Few small telescopes are used here from the beginning, but no permanent staff is working in Penteli site. This situation remains unchanged for more than ten years, because of the war.
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The 62.5cm Newall Refractor |
The 62.5cm refractor "Newall" |
In 1955 the National Observatory of Athens accepted the donation offered by the University of Cambridge, the 62.5cm telescope designed by R. S. Newall, and constructed by the firm Thomas Cooke & Sons in 1868. Its big tube (about 9m) and the German-type equatorial mounting weight totally about nine tons and required careful dismounting, transportation and installation in a dome that is to be build in Penteli. |
Many efforts were needed to find the necessary founds. The donations made by Greeks shipowners and the free transportation offered by the Piraeus Port significantly helped to move the telescope to Penteli.
The government financed the new building and 14m diameter dome. After its completion, in 1959, the telescope was installed in its new home, the AS Penteli.
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The 62.5cm Newall refractor
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The telescope was equipped with a number of scientific instruments that were bought (a photographic camera, a spectrograph, a polarimeter, and a photometer). Of course, this is not an instrument for high-end observations, but it is extensively used by many astronomers, resulting in a lot of scientific publications and its use greatly stimulated the Greek astronomers towards the modern astrophysics. |
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