In the 18th century, Anders Celsius performed his research there and built the first observatory proper in 1741.

Celsius got the university consistory to buy a large stone house of medieval origin in central Uppsala, where he had an observatory constructed on the rooftop.

The Celsius house itself remains as one of few older buildings on a modern shopping street, but the observatory on the roof was demolished in 1857.

In the 19th century Anders Jonas Ångström was keeper of the observatory and conducted his experiments in astronomy, physics and optics there.

His son, Knut Ångström, also conducted research on solar radiation at the observatory.