HISTORY

Kandilli Observatory, is a unique organization in Turkey, was annexed to Boğaziçi University on the basis of cabinet executive order 41 on 28 March 1983 and has acquired an institutionalstatus, namely KANDILLI OBSERVATORY AND EARTHQUAKE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (KOERI).

From 1868 to today, the development of the Observatory and the researches conducted can be summarized into three important periods: 1868-1909-1911-1982, and from 1982 to the present: an Academic Institute.

1868-1909 RASATHANE-I AMIRE:

“Istanbul Rasathanesi”, also known as “Rasathane-i Amire”, in history of Turkish science, was established in 1868 across the Della Suda pharmacy in the Pera Street (presently Istiklal Caddesi). In the beginning, it was not an astronomical observatory, but housed the central meteorology office. Observations were performed on the 74 m high Pera hill. Later as it was apparent from “Salhane”, which is the astronomy calendar published by the observatory covering the planets, cornets, latitude settings, and transformations from star time to sun time, that the meteorology office made an effort to be an astronomical observatory.

The information collected from Observation archives indicate that, engineers and navigators used instruments for the determination of magnetic declination and accurate time. These instruments were later moved to a building across to Maçka Topçu Okulu (Macka Artillery School) which was destroyed by religious fundamentalists during the “March 31 Rebellion” on April 12, 1909.

1911-1982 FROM RASATHANE-I AMIRE TO KANDILLI RASATHANESI:

After the 31 Mart incident, on 21 June 1910 Emrullah Efendi, the Minister of Education in the new Ottoman government, appointed Fatin Hoca (Fatin Gökmen) to reestablish the observatory. Fatin Gökmen chose the Icadiye Hill, the president site, for the location of the observatory. At the time there was nothing on Icadiye Hill except small buildings housing the Artillery Division of the Bosphorus Command and a stone tower used by fire watchmen. On September 4, 1910, the observatory was temporarily housed in the buildings vacated by the Artillery Division. Using the budget supplied by the Ministry of Education, the available buildings were reorganized and the equipment necessary for a first class Meteorology Station was ordered. Dating from July 1, 1911, continuous and systematic meteorology parameters have been measured and recorded. Daily weather forecast reports were prepared for Istanbul and accurate time determination which were obtained from sexant observations were transmitted to the State Postal (PTT) and Railway (DDY) administrations.

In 1912 “Umumi Havaiye Müfettişliği” (General Meteorological Inspectorate) was established for getting the meteorological information that will assist the navigation of the military planes. As the First World War ended the Ministry of Education changed its name to “Tetkikatı İklimiye Müfettişliği” (Climatological Investigations Inspectorate) and its objective to fulfill the civilian needs, and annexed it to “Rasathane-I Amire” (State Observatory).

During the years following the foundation of Republic of  Turkey, the name “Rasathane-I Amire” was officially used. After the Alphabet Revolution the Observatory was renamed as “Maarif Vekaleti Hey’et ve Fiziki Arzi Istanbul Rasathanesi”. “Kandilli Rasathanesi” (Kandilli Observatory) was officially fist used in 1939i as it can be seen on the publications. The name “Kandilli Observatory, Astronomy and Geophysics” came into use after 1940.

There has not been any important development in the “Rasathane-I Amire” until Turkish Republic was formed. With the first government of the new republic, new plans have been drawn and implemented to re-form the Kandilli Observatory in line with the new emphasis on science and education. With the budget that was provided in 1926 the foundation of the telescope building was started. The equatorial telescope was installed and put into service in 1935. The first earthquake recording system was installed in 1926 with subsequent developments and renovation in 1948. In 1938 the construction of the geomagnetic observatory including the building for variometers was completed. The geomagnetic observations were started in 1939.

FROM 1982 TO THE PRESENT: AN ACADEMIC INSTITUTE:

After annexed to Boğaziçi University and given an institutional academic status, Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (KOERI) extended its activities into various observational fields with the main emphasis oriented towards earthquake research, education and relevant observational service activities. KOERI today has evolved into a multidisciplinary earthquake research organization providing graduate education in three departments namely Earthquake Engineering, Geophysics and Geodesy. KOERI is a unique organization in Turkey encompassing earthquake observation, research, education and application services within a single, integrated body.

KOERI provides seismological observation services with its continuously expanding network distributed throughout Turkey. Currently, the 50 station network is operational (two stations located in North Cyprus) with on-line, leased-line, radio-link and dial-up connections. The network provides continuous earthquake information to KOERI and this information is quickly forwarded to proper authorities.

About 60 strong motion accelerometers are operated by KOERI in and around Istanbul. A 5 station array has been placed in North Cyprus together with Near East University. The instrumented structures in Istanbul include 2 monuments namely Haghia Sophia Museum and Suleymaniye Mosque and a high-rise building. For aftershock studies and other special projects 12 strong motion instruments are utilized. Preparations are underway for the strong motion instrumentation of several important bridges and dams in Turkey.

Besides this, the Astronomy, Meteorology and Magnetism observatories have been updated with state of art technology.

Following are some examples of the important research projects currently being undertaken by KOERI:

*Earthquake Prediction Project Along the Western Part of North Anatolian Fault Zone :

The project includes full instrumentation for the measurements of the earth’s magnetic and electrical fields, radon emission, gravity, microseismic activities as well as geodetic and pacoseismic studies.

*Earthquake Performance of History Monuments :

In a joint research project with Princeton University, the earthquake performances of Haghia Sophia Museum and Süleymaniye Mosque are being investigated. In addition to the prototype dynamic tests performed the structure has been fully instrumented and the earthquake behavior is being continuously monitored. Linear and nonlinear computer models are developed to simulate the measured response. For the assessment of foundation media geophysical and gravimetric studies have been performed.

*Development of Urban Earthquake Master-Plans :

The Earthquake Master-Plan for Istanbul is being developed by the request of Governorate. The development encompasses hazard assessmentg, identification of physical and socio-economic elements at risk, determination of the associated vulnebilities an earthquake damage scenario and the establishment of appropriate risk mitigation measures.