The Astronomical Observatory of the Abbot de Beauchamp in Baghdad

What is it about?

In 1786, the French Abbot Joseph de Beauchamp described in his manuscripts the astronomical observatory he has installed on a terrace in the city of Baghdad. Beauchamp was a religious man, very well connected with French diplomatic and religious networks in the Middle East, but also a skilled astronomer, trained by the Parisian royal academicians. Using some beautiful drawings, Beauchamp explained everything about his place of work: instruments, all the various observations (stars, the Sun and the planet Mercury, in particular) and especially the material astronomical observatory itself.

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