Named for the largest of the three towns, Buda {see planet  (908)}, Pest and Óbuda, that form the modern capital of Hungary. The 125th anniversary of the establishment of Budapest as Hungary’s political, cultural and scientific center is being celebrated this year. The University Observatory played a major part in the life of both Pest and Buda, with its buildings dominating the panorama for three-quarters of a century after it was founded in 1780. Since 1921 the headquarters of the Konkoly {see also planet  (1445)} Observatory has also been located in the city, which provided support for the construction of its large dome. (M 33386) _ _.