National Observatory of Athens

The National Observatory of Athens (NOA) was founded in 1842, the first research centre of Modern Greece. Its history is inextricably linked with the evolution of basic and applied research, the development of services provided to the Greek State and society at large, and the promotion and popularisation of science. Its progress was marked by enlightened and renowned scientists who paved the way to knowledge, including D. Eginitis (founder of the Academy of Athens), I. Smit, (created the first topographic map of the Moon), S. Plakidis (founder of the Penteli Astronomical Station), D. Kotsakis (founder of the Kryoneri Observatory), A. Galanopoulos and I. Drakopoulos (renowned Greek seismologists), etc., national benefactors, including S. Sinas, A. Syggros, D. Doridis, S. Korgialenios, etc., as well as leading architects including Theofil Hansen and Ernst Ziller. In the recent past, NOA continued to thrive thanks to the vision and dynamism of former NOA Presidents George Veis, George Kontopoulos, Dimitrios Lalas, Christos Zerefos and Kanaris Tsiganos.