Chevallier Craters on the Moon. Credit: NASA
Temple Chevallier (1794-1873) was a clergyman, astronomer and mathematician. Chevallier was a professor at the newly built Durham University. In 1835, he published his lectures. The book was called Of the Proofs of the Divine Power and Wisdom Derived from the Study of Astronomy.
In 1839, he used donations to build the observatory at Durham University. He served as its director for 30 years. His notable observations of Jupiter's moon earned him fame and there are even craters on our Moon with his name.
When Durham Observatory was opened the chief astronomer was expected to live in the observatory. Like early priests, the chief astronomer was not allowed to be married.
Durham's weather records date back to the 1840s. That's the second longest unbroken weather record of a UK university. Today, Durham's automated records contribute to the Met Office's forecasts.
Photo of Durham Observatory. Credit: Teach46
Durham University Observatory was opened in 1839 by Temple Chevallier and was used for both astronomical and weather observations. After 1937 the observatory was used only for weather recordings.