Celsius founded the Uppsala Astronomical Observatory
One of the most interesting facts about Anders Celsius you should know is that Celsius founded the Uppsala Astronomical Observatory. He published De observationibus pro figura telluris determinanda (Observations on Determining the Shape of the Earth) in 1738. Celsius's participation in the Lapland trip earned him high regard from the Swedish government and his peers, and he was instrumental in raising interest from the Swedish authorities in giving the funds needed to build a new modern observatory in Uppsala. Celsius was granted his request, and the Uppsala Astronomical Observatory was established in 1741. The observatory was outfitted with instruments purchased during his long journey overseas, which included the most advanced instrumental technology of the period.
The Uppsala Astronomical Observatory (UAO, Astronomiska observatoriet I Uppsala) is Sweden's first and oldest astronomical observatory. It was formed in 1741, however, there has been a professorial chair of astronomy at the University of Uppsala since 1593, and the university archives contain astronomy lecture notes dating back to the 1480s. Anders Celsius conducted his studies there in the 18th century, and the first proper observatory was established in 1741. Celsius persuaded the university consistory to purchase a big stone mansion of medieval antiquity in central Uppsala, where he built an observatory on the roof. Celsius used the residence for both professional and personal living quarters. This observatory was used until 1853, when the new observatory, now known as the "old observatory", was completed.
