THE CUBA REVIEW 



13 



New National Astronomical 

 Observatory, Cuba 



In the northern part of Casa Blanca, Habana's most picturesque suburb, crowning 

 a low hill which rises about 50 meters above the level of the sea, may be seen, a little 

 to the southwest of the Meteorological Building, the New National Astronomical 

 Observatory. 



Marble Stairway of the National Observatory of Cuba, Allegorical Window in the Background 

 Representing "Night" — (Courtesy Pan-American Union; 



The observatory is built on a rectangular site, its principal fagade overlooking the 

 bay of Habana. Between the two edifices mentioned stands the Meridional Building and 

 the open-air pavilion housing the meteorological instruments. Wide steps of artificial 

 granite lead to the vestibule of the observatory, to the right of which is the library and 

 to the left an office, which serves also as a reception room. Directly in front of the 

 beautiful entrance rises a fine marble staircase leading to the upper part of the building, 

 on the first landing of which, set in the back wall, is a striking allegorical window of 

 stained glass, representing Night — so appropriately described as "the natural state of the 

 Universe." In this building are located the laboratory, the photographic developing 

 room which is equipped with an adjustable roof, washers, driers, and negative files, and 

 the room, kept at an even temperature, which contains the vault with the master clock. 

 ' The principal apparatus of the observatory is a refracting telescope, the latest work 



