This year, the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw celebrates its 200th anniversary. The history of this distinguished institution dates back to 1816, when the Department of Astronomy was founded. Thanks to the efforts of Franciszek Armiński, the observatory building on Ujazdowskie Avenue opened in 1825. The anniversary celebrations will culminate with the 42nd Congress of the Polish Astronomical Society, to be held at the University of Warsaw from September 8 to 12, 2025.
As we commemorate the Observatory’s bicentennial, we also reflect on a time when rapid technological progress was turning humanity’s dreams of spaceflight into reality, and the names of the first astronauts were being written into history. Among them was Jim Lovell — an American astronaut who flew on four NASA missions, including the legendary Apollo 13 expedition, whose dramatic story became widely known thanks to the film in which Tom Hanks portrayed him.
In August 1969, just a few months after the historic Apollo 8 flight around the Moon and shortly before the launch of Apollo 13, journalist Ryszard Żaba had the opportunity to interview Jim Lovell in Paris. In that conversation, recorded on August 20, 1969, the recently deceased astronaut said, among other things:
,,It’s an incredible privilege to see Earth as it truly is, from its real perspective in outer space. We can see how small it becomes compared to the vastness of the universe, how it seems to drift away into the depths of space. It makes us realize how tiny it is on a cosmic scale and how unique our place really is.
I believe that spaceflights allow people on Earth to see just how fragile and small our planet is, and how deeply interconnected we all are. This understanding might inspire greater cooperation among nations.
I’m convinced that in the future, space exploration will become a universal endeavor, involving representatives from many countries. This experience teaches us that working together brings the greatest benefits and allows all of humanity to share in the rewards of exploring the cosmos.”
On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw, we extend our warmest wishes to the entire scientific community of the Observatory and to the participants of the 42nd Congress of the Polish Astronomical Society. We wish you continued success and enduring passion in the exploration of the Universe. To all Congress participants, we wish productive discussions, creative exchanges of experience, and inspiring encounters that will contribute to the further development of Polish astronomy.
