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{{Short description|Defunct observatory in Johannesburg, South Africa}}{{Infobox Observatory
| name = Union Observatory
| image = 
| caption = 
| organization = 
| location = [[Observatory, Gauteng|Observatory]], [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]
| coords = {{coord|26|11|3|S|28|04|27|E|source:ruwiki_region:ZA|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| altitude = {{convert|1808|m|ft}}
| weather = 
| established = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1903}}
| closed = 1971
| telescope1_name = 
| telescope1_type = 
| telescope2_name = 
| telescope2_type = 
}}
[[File:Comet_Mellish_1915.jpg|thumb|Photo of comet Mellish obtained with the Franklin Adams star camera of the Union Observatory on June 6, 1915, with an exposure of ninety minutes. The position of the comet was then [[Right ascension|R.A.]] 22h. 35m., [[declination]] 70° 18′ south.]]

'''Union Observatory''', also known as '''Transvaal Observatory''', '''Republic Observatory''' and '''Johannesburg Observatory''' ([[IAU code#078|078]]), is a defunct astronomical [[observatory]] in [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]] that operated from 1903 to 1971. It is located on [[Observatory Ridge, Johannesburg|Observatory Ridge]], the city's highest point at 1,808 metres altitude in the suburb [[Observatory, Gauteng|Observatory]].<ref name="ASSA-new" /><ref name="ASSA-archive-full" />

The observatory and its former annex, the {{section link||Leiden Southern Station}}, are known for the discovery of 6,000 [[double star]]s and for [[Proxima Centauri]], made by astronomer [[Robert T. A. Innes|Robert Innes]]. At the observatory, 578 identifications of [[minor planet]] were made, a record number at the time.<ref name="ASSA-new" /> The [[Minor Planet Center]] credits the observatory as the site where 147 minor planets were [[List of minor planet discoverers|discovered]] by astronomers [[Harry Edwin Wood|Harry Wood]], [[Cyril Jackson (astronomer)|Cyril Jackson]], [[Hendrik van Gent]], [[Ernest Leonard Johnson|Ernest Johnson]], [[Ejnar Hertzsprung]], [[Jacobus Albertus Bruwer|Jacobus Bruwer]] and [[Joseph Churms]] ''(see {{section link||List of discovered minor planets}})''.<ref name="MPC-Discoverers" />

== History ==
The origins of the observatory began when Theodore Reunert of the South African Association for the Advancement of Science petitioned [[Alfred Milner, 1st Viscount Milner|Alfred Milner]] Governor of the [[Transvaal Colony]] on 29 October 1902 for the establishment of a meteorological and astronomical observatory in Johannesburg.<ref name="Hers">{{cite journal |last1=Hers |first1=J. |title=History of the Transvaal Observatory. I |journal=[[Monthly Notes of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa]] |date=1987 |volume=46 |pages=17-19 |bibcode=1987MNSSA..46...17H |bibcode-access=free |hdl=10520/AJA00248266_2102 |hdl-access=free}}</ref>{{rp|17}} Assistant Colonial Secretary W.H. Moor agreed to the project on 17 December 1902 with the budget increased from £1,350 to £5,629 due to equipment changes.<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|17}} 

On 1 April 1903, a new Meteorological Department was temporarily established in [[Johannesburg]].<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|17}} A location was sought for the new observatory and the Johannesburg Town Council made a decision on 12 May 1903, located within the municipal boundaries.<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|17}} The land of eight acres, on a ridge west of the Indian War Memorial, was on the northern boundary of the farm ''Doornfontein'', presently part of the suburb [[Observatory, Gauteng|Observatory]] and was given as a gift by the Bezuidenhout family, with a further two acres sold for £500.<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|18}} The land was given only for the use of science and a road, later called Observatory Avenue, was also to be built close to the site.<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|18}} The observatory building was built and the formal opening took place on  17 January 1905 by Governor Milner, but had no astronomical equipment.<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|19}}

In 1906 it was lent a Hamberg universal instrument (2 5/8-inch object glass) by Dr [[Oskar Backlund]].<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|19}} In September 1907 a 9-inch Grubb refractor was now used but repolished in 1908.<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|19}} Mr J. Franklin-Adams gifted the observatory a 10-inch triple O.G. Cooke Star-Camera in 1909.<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|19}} J.B. Rissik, Minister for Lands, permitted the purchase of a 26-inch refracting telescope from the [[Grubb Telescope Company]] in 1909.<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|19}}

With the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, South Africa's two colonial observatories came under the control of the Minister of the Interior.<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|19}} With the removal of the meteorological functions, the observatory was renamed Observatory of the Union of South Africa (Union Observatory) on 1 April 1912.<ref name=Hers/>{{rp|19}} It became the '''Republic Observatory''' in 1961.

Well remembered for the quality of its Directors, work done on [[minor planet]]s and the discovery of [[Proxima Centauri]], growing [[light pollution]] problems in Johannesburg led to its closure in 1971–1972. The Observatory's buildings at 18a Gill Street, Observatory, Johannesburg, still exist.<ref name="ASSA-new" />

At that time the South African government decided to amalgamate all astronomical research into one body, which later became known as the [[South African Astronomical Observatory]] (SAAO); it has its headquarters in [[Cape Town]] and has [[Sutherland, Northern Cape|Sutherland]] as its outstation. The main Cape telescopes were moved to Sutherland, and the [[Radcliffe Observatory]] at [[Pretoria]] was also dismantled.<ref name="ASSA-new" />

The main-belt asteroid [[1585 Union]], discovered by [[Ernest Leonard Johnson|Ernest Johnson]] in 1947, was named for the Union observatory.<ref name="springer" />

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

=== Name changes ===
Union Observatory went through a number of name changes:<ref name="ASSA-new" />
* 1903–1909: Transvaal Meteorological Department
* 1909–1912: Transvaal Observatory 
* 1912–1961: Union Observatory
* 1961–1971: Republic Observatory 

{{col-2}}

=== Directors ===
Its directors were:<ref name="ASSA-new" />
* 1903–1927: [[Robert T. A. Innes|Robert Innes]] 
* 1927–1941: [[Harry Edwin Wood]] 
* 1941–1956: [[Willem Hendrik van den Bos]] 
* 1957–1965: [[William Stephen Finsen]]
* 1965–1971: Jan Hers (1915–2010)<ref name="Jan-Hers" />
{{col-end}}

== Leiden Southern Station ==

The '''Leiden Southern Station''' ({{small|[[IAU code#081|081]]}}) was a collaboration between the Dutch [[Leiden Observatory]] and Union Observatory. From 1938 to 1954 it was an annex to the Union Observatory, and was moved to [[Hartbeespoort]] in 1954 due to light pollution. It operated until 1978.<ref name="Leiden-Southern-Station" />

== Discoveries ==

=== List of discovered minor planets ===

The Minor Planet Center credits Union Observatory ("Johannesburg"), as the site of 147 [[List of minor planet discoverers|minor planet discoveries]], made by the following list of astronomers:
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{note label|codisc|A|}} [[Harry Edwin Wood]]
* {{note label|codisc|B|}} [[Cyril Jackson (astronomer)|Cyril Jackson]]
* {{note label|codisc|C|}} [[Hendrik van Gent]]
* {{note label|codisc|D|}} [[Ernest Leonard Johnson]]
* {{note label|codisc|E|}} [[Ejnar Hertzsprung]]
* {{note label|codisc|F|}} [[Jacobus Albertus Bruwer]]
* {{note label|codisc|G|}} [[Joseph Churms]]
{{div col end}}

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 89%; float: left; width: 25em; margin-right: 1em; line-height: 1.65em"
!important; height: 675px;
|-
| [[715 Transvaalia]] || 22 April 1911|| {{small|{{LoMP|715|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[758 Mancunia]] || 18 May 1912|| {{small|{{LoMP|758|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[790 Pretoria]] || 16 January 1912|| {{small|{{LoMP|790|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[982 Franklina]] || 21 May 1922|| {{small|{{LoMP|982|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[1032 Pafuri]] || 30 May 1924|| {{small|{{LoMP|1032|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[1096 Reunerta]] || 21 July 1928|| {{small|{{LoMP|1096|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[1116 Catriona]] || 5 April 1929|| {{small|{{LoMP|1116|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1132 Hollandia]] || 13 September 1929|| {{small|{{LoMP|1132|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1133 Lugduna]] || 13 September 1929|| {{small|{{LoMP|1133|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1165 Imprinetta]] || 24 April 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1165|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1186 Turnera]] || 1 August 1929|| {{small|{{LoMP|1186|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1193 Africa]] || 24 April 1931|| {{small|{{LoMP|1193|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1194 Aletta]] || 13 May 1931|| {{small|{{LoMP|1194|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1195 Orangia]] || 24 May 1931|| {{small|{{LoMP|1195|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1196 Sheba]] || 21 May 1931|| {{small|{{LoMP|1196|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1197 Rhodesia]] || 9 June 1931|| {{small|{{LoMP|1197|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1225 Ariane]] || 23 April 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1225|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1226 Golia]] || 22 April 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1226|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1241 Dysona]] || 4 March 1932|| {{small|{{LoMP|1241|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[1242 Zambesia]] || 28 April 1932|| {{small|{{LoMP|1242|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1243 Pamela]] || 7 May 1932|| {{small|{{LoMP|1243|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1244 Deira]] || 25 May 1932|| {{small|{{LoMP|1244|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1245 Calvinia]] || 26 May 1932|| {{small|{{LoMP|1245|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1246 Chaka]] || 23 July 1932|| {{small|{{LoMP|1246|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1248 Jugurtha]] || 1 September 1932|| {{small|{{LoMP|1248|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 89%; float: left; width: 25em; margin-right: 1em; line-height: 1.65em"
!important; height: 675px;
|-
| [[1264 Letaba]] || 21 April 1933|| {{small|{{LoMP|1264|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1267 Geertruida]] || 23 April 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1267|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1268 Libya]] || 29 April 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1268|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1278 Kenya]] || 15 June 1933|| {{small|{{LoMP|1278|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1279 Uganda]] || 15 June 1933|| {{small|{{LoMP|1279|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1282 Utopia]] || 17 August 1933|| {{small|{{LoMP|1282|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1305 Pongola]] || 19 July 1928|| {{small|{{LoMP|1305|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[1318 Nerina]] || 24 March 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1318|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1319 Disa]] || 19 March 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1319|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1320 Impala]] || 13 May 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1320|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1321 Majuba]] || 7 May 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1321|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1323 Tugela]] || 19 May 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1323|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1324 Knysna]] || 15 June 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1324|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1325 Inanda]] || 14 July 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1325|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1326 Losaka]] || 14 July 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1326|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1327 Namaqua]] || 7 September 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1327|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1336 Zeelandia]] || 9 September 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1336|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1337 Gerarda]] || 9 September 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1337|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1342 Brabantia]] || 13 February 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1342|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1349 Bechuana]] || 13 June 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1349|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1353 Maartje]] || 13 February 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1353|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1354 Botha]] || 3 April 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1354|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1355 Magoeba]] || 30 April 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1355|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1356 Nyanza]] || 3 May 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1356|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1357 Khama]] || 2 July 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1357|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 89%; float: left; width: 25em; margin-right: 1em; line-height: 1.65em"
!important; height: 675px;
|-
| [[1358 Gaika]] || 21 July 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1358|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1359 Prieska]] || 22 July 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1359|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1360 Tarka]] || 22 July 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1360|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1362 Griqua]] || 31 July 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1362|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1367 Nongoma]] || 3 July 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1367|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1368 Numidia]] || 30 April 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1368|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1383 Limburgia]] || 9 September 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1383|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1384 Kniertje]] || 9 September 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1384|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1385 Gelria]] || 24 May 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1385|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1389 Onnie]] || 28 September 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1389|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1393 Sofala]] || 25 May 1936|| {{small|{{LoMP|1393|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1394 Algoa]] || 12 June 1936|| {{small|{{LoMP|1394|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1396 Outeniqua]] || 9 August 1936|| {{small|{{LoMP|1396|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1397 Umtata]] || 9 August 1936|| {{small|{{LoMP|1397|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1427 Ruvuma]] || 16 May 1937|| {{small|{{LoMP|1427|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1428 Mombasa]] || 5 July 1937|| {{small|{{LoMP|1428|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1429 Pemba]] || 2 July 1937|| {{small|{{LoMP|1429|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1430 Somalia]] || 5 July 1937|| {{small|{{LoMP|1430|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1431 Luanda]] || 29 July 1937|| {{small|{{LoMP|1431|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1432 Ethiopia]] || 1 August 1937|| {{small|{{LoMP|1432|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1456 Saldanha]] || 2 July 1937|| {{small|{{LoMP|1456|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1467 Mashona]] || 30 July 1938|| {{small|{{LoMP|1467|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1468 Zomba]] || 23 July 1938|| {{small|{{LoMP|1468|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1474 Beira]] || 20 August 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1474|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1490 Limpopo]] || 14 June 1936|| {{small|{{LoMP|1490|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 89%; float: left; width: 25em; margin-right: 1em; line-height: 1.65em"
!important; height: 675px;
|-
| [[1505 Koranna]] || 21 April 1939|| {{small|{{LoMP|1505|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1506 Xosa]] || 15 May 1939|| {{small|{{LoMP|1506|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1568 Aisleen]] || 21 August 1946|| {{small|{{LoMP|1568|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1580 Betulia]] || 22 May 1950|| {{small|{{LoMP|1580|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1585 Union]] || 7 September 1947|| {{small|{{LoMP|1585|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1595 Tanga]] || 19 June 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1595|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[1607 Mavis]] || 3 September 1950|| {{small|{{LoMP|1607|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1609 Brenda]] || 10 July 1951|| {{small|{{LoMP|1609|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1618 Dawn]] || 5 July 1948|| {{small|{{LoMP|1618|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1623 Vivian]] || 9 August 1948|| {{small|{{LoMP|1623|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1627 Ivar]] || 25 September 1929|| {{small|{{LoMP|1627|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|E|}}
|-
| [[1634 Ndola]] || 19 August 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1634|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1638 Ruanda]] || 3 May 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1638|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1641 Tana]] || 25 July 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1641|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1658 Innes]] || 13 July 1953|| {{small|{{LoMP|1658|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|F|}}
|-
| [[1660 Wood]] || 7 April 1953|| {{small|{{LoMP|1660|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|F|}}
|-
| [[1663 van den Bos]] || 4 August 1926|| {{small|{{LoMP|1663|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[1666 van Gent]] || 22 July 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1666|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1667 Pels]] || 16 September 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1667|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1670 Minnaert]] || 9 September 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1670|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1676 Kariba]] || 15 June 1939|| {{small|{{LoMP|1676|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1686 De Sitter]] || 28 September 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1686|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1689 Floris-Jan]] || 16 September 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1689|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1693 Hertzsprung]] || 5 May 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1693|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1694 Kaiser]] || 29 September 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1694|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 89%; float: left; width: 25em; margin-right: 1em; line-height: 1.65em"
!important; height: 675px;
|-
| [[1701 Okavango]] || 6 July 1953|| {{small|{{LoMP|1701|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|G|}}
|-
| [[1702 Kalahari]] || 7 July 1924|| {{small|{{LoMP|1702|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|E|}}
|-
| [[1712 Angola]] || 28 May 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1712|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1731 Smuts]] || 9 August 1948|| {{small|{{LoMP|1731|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1738 Oosterhoff]] || 16 September 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1738|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1752 van Herk]] || 22 July 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1752|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1753 Mieke]] || 10 May 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1753|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1760 Sandra]] || 10 April 1950|| {{small|{{LoMP|1760|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1784 Benguella]] || 30 June 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1784|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1816 Liberia]] || 29 January 1936|| {{small|{{LoMP|1816|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1817 Katanga]] || 20 June 1939|| {{small|{{LoMP|1817|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1819 Laputa]] || 9 August 1948|| {{small|{{LoMP|1819|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1879 Broederstroom]] || 16 October 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1879|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1885 Herero]] || 9 August 1948|| {{small|{{LoMP|1885|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1914 Hartbeespoortdam]] || 28 September 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1914|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1922 Zulu]] || 25 April 1949|| {{small|{{LoMP|1922|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[1925 Franklin-Adams]] || 9 September 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|1925|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1945 Wesselink]] || 22 July 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|1945|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1946 Walraven]] || 8 August 1931|| {{small|{{LoMP|1946|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[1948 Kampala]] || 3 April 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1948|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1949 Messina]] || 8 July 1936|| {{small|{{LoMP|1949|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[1986 Plaut]] || 28 September 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|1986|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[2019 van Albada]] || 28 September 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|2019|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[2025 Nortia]] || 6 June 1953|| {{small|{{LoMP|2025|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|G|}}
|-
| [[2066 Palala]] || 4 June 1934|| {{small|{{LoMP|2066|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 89%; float: left; width: 25em; margin-right: 1em; line-height: 1.65em"
!important; height: 595px;
|-
| [[2193 Jackson]] || 18 May 1926|| {{small|{{LoMP|2193|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[2203 van Rhijn]] || 28 September 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|2203|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[2378 Pannekoek]] || 13 February 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|2378|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[2546 Libitina]] || 23 March 1950|| {{small|{{LoMP|2546|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[2651 Karen]] || 28 August 1949|| {{small|{{LoMP|2651|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[2718 Handley]] || 30 July 1951|| {{small|{{LoMP|2718|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[2801 Huygens]] || 28 September 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|2801|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[2825 Crosby]] || 19 September 1938|| {{small|{{LoMP|2825|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[2829 Bobhope]] || 9 August 1948|| {{small|{{LoMP|2829|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[2831 Stevin]] || 17 September 1930|| {{small|{{LoMP|2831|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[2865 Laurel]] || 31 July 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|2865|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[2945 Zanstra]] || 28 September 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|2945|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[3184 Raab]] || 22 August 1949|| {{small|{{LoMP|3184|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| [[3284 Niebuhr]] || 13 July 1953|| {{small|{{LoMP|3284|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|F|}}
|-
| [[3300 McGlasson]] || 10 July 1928|| {{small|{{LoMP|3300|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|A|}}
|-
| [[3768 Monroe]] || 5 September 1937|| {{small|{{LoMP|3768|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[4296 van Woerkom]] || 28 September 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|4296|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[4359 Berlage]] || 28 September 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|4359|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[4511 Rembrandt]] || 28 September 1935|| {{small|{{LoMP|4511|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|C|}}
|-
| [[5038 Overbeek]] || 31 May 1948|| {{small|{{LoMP|5038|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|D|}}
|-
| {{mpl|(5452) 1937 NN}} || 5 July 1937|| {{small|{{LoMP|5452|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|-
| [[7102 Neilbone]] || 12 July 1936|| {{small|{{LoMP|7102|list}}}}&thinsp;{{ref label|codisc|B|}}
|}
{{clear}}

== References ==
{{reflist
|refs= 

<ref name="ASSA-archive-full">{{cite web
  |title      = Republic Observatory (known as Johannesburg or Union Observatory)
  |work       = Astronomical Society of Southern Africa
  |date       = 2016
  |url-status    = dead
  |url        = http://old.assa.saao.ac.za/html/his-obs-jhb.html
  |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160404041300/http://old.assa.saao.ac.za/html/his-obs-jhb.html
  |archive-date= 4 April 2016
  |access-date = 29 December 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="ASSA-new">{{cite web
  |title      = Republic Observatory (known as Johannesburg or Union Observatory)
  |work       = Astronomical Society of Southern Africa
  |date       = 2016
  |url        = http://assa.saao.ac.za/sections/history/observatories/rep_obs/
  |access-date = 29 December 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="springer">{{cite book
  |title      = Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1585) Union
  |last       = Schmadel | first = Lutz D.
  |publisher  = Springer Berlin Heidelberg
  |page       = 125
  |date       = 2007
  |isbn       = 978-3-540-00238-3
  |doi       = 10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1586 |chapter       = (1585) Union }}</ref>

<ref name="MPC-Discoverers">{{cite web
  |title      = Minor Planet Discoverers (Alphabetically)c
  |work       = Minor Planet Center
  |url        = http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/lists/MPDiscsAlpha.html
  |date       = 4 September 2016
  |access-date = 29 December 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="Jan-Hers">{{cite web
  |title      = Jan Hers
  |work       = IAU – International Astronomical Union, individual members
  |url        = http://assa.saao.ac.za/sections/history/observatories/rep_obs/
  |access-date = 29 December 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="Leiden-Southern-Station">{{cite web
  |title      = Leiden Southern Station (Hartebeespoort)
  |work       = Astronomical Society of Southern Africa
  |date       = 2016
  |url-status    = dead
  |url        = http://old.assa.saao.ac.za/html/his-obs-leiden.html
  |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160827080816/http://old.assa.saao.ac.za/html/his-obs-leiden.html
  |archive-date= 27 August 2016
  |access-date = 29 December 2016}}</ref>

}} <!-- end of reflist -->

{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Vermeulen|first=Dirk J. |title=Living Amongst the Stars at the Johannesburg Observatory |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vtQnAQAAIAAJ|year=2006|publisher=Chris van Rensburg|isbn=978-0-86846-107-6}}
* {{cite journal|title=The Union Observatory, Johannesburg |journal=Nature |volume=147|issue=3738 |year=1941|pages=772|issn=0028-0836|doi=10.1038/147772c0|bibcode = 1941Natur.147S.772. |doi-access=free}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040920161841/http://www.saao.ac.za/assa/html/his-pl-obs_-_republic.html |date=September 20, 2004 |title=Republic Observatory, Popularly known as Johannesburg or Union Observatory }}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803124314/http://www.saao.ac.za/assa/html/assa_johannesburg_centre.html |date=August 3, 2008 |title=Johannesburg Centre }}

{{Greater Johannesburg|hist}}

[[Category:Astronomical observatories in South Africa]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Johannesburg]]
[[Category:Defunct astronomical observatories]]