ORB/KSB - Royal Observatory of Belgium

Koninklijke Sterrenwacht van België - Observatoire Royal de Belgique

The scientists of the Royal Observatory of Belgium are involved in many fields of study. The common background for these various subjects lies in their very origin. Indeed, they were all based on observation – of nature, in general, and of the sky, in particular. That';s why the Observatory used to be in charge of meteorological observations, until an autonomous institute (the Royal Meteorological Institute) was established, in 1913. Nowadays, the ROB fields of study (i.e. astronomy, astrophysics, solar physics and geophysics) still depend very highly on ground-based observations, but satellites and space probes provide scientists with more and more data everyday. Most of the work being done at the ROB is actually dedicated to fundamental research. Indeed, this kind of research is most definitely a part of the assignment of scientific institutes, in that it aims at a general understanding of our universe, its origin and evolution. To that purpose, ROB scientists gather information and knowledge about astronomical objects. Some other fields of study seek more concrete applications, related to earth (time, seismology, tides, continental drift, etc.) or to the sun (Space Weather).