The University Observatory in Thiruvananthapuram, located at the city's highest point near the Museum Complex, offers a panoramic view of the city from 60 meters above sea level. This historic site, with coordinates at 8°30' Northern latitude and 76°59' Eastern longitude, has been a center for astronomical and meteorological observations since its establishment.

The foundation stone for the Trivandrum Observatory was laid in 1836, and it began operations in 1837 under the reign of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal. Initially, it focused on standardizing local time through star observations and providing astronomical data for the Government almanac and directory. In 1855, another observatory was established on Agasthiyar Peak in the Western Ghats, contributing to significant scientific publications, including in the journal “Nature” in 1872.

In 1951, the observatory's meteorological section was taken over by the Government of India, and the astronomical section by the State Government. In 1975, the Astronomical Observatory was transferred to the University of Kerala, where it became the first university center with its own annual financial outlay.

Dr. K. S. Viswanathan, a student of Nobel laureate Sir C. V. Raman, was appointed as the first Honorary Director of the Observatory when it was under the University of Kerala. Currently, the observatory is headed by Dr. R. Jayakrishnan, Associate Professor from the University’s Department of Physics.

The observatory has been pivotal in various research and academic activities, facilitating internships and dissertation work for graduate and postgraduate students. Doctoral research in fields like Solar Physics, Cosmology, Astronomy, and Astrophysics is actively encouraged.

The observatory plays a significant role in public outreach, offering star-gazing sessions with an array of telescopes on weekdays between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM. Public lectures on astronomy are also organized frequently. The observatory’s location provides extensive views of the surrounding landscape, including the Ghat Mountains to the east and the sea horizon to the west.

Equipped with modern facilities such as an 11-inch telescope, CCD camera, Sun workstations, and image processing equipment, the observatory is poised to become a major center for astronomical research in India. Celestial events, such as the sighting of comet Ikeya-Zhang in 2002, have helped revive interest and activities at the observatory.

The University Observatory in Thiruvananthapuram stands as a testament to the vision of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal and the continuous advancements in astronomical research. It remains a vital center for learning and public engagement in astronomy, fulfilling its historical role while embracing modern scientific developments.