Observatory Science Centre
Description
The Observatory Science Centre is a Registered Educational Charity dedicated to the promotion of Science to all ages and abilities. The Royal Observatory was founded by King Charles II in 1675. Its purpose was a practical one: to reduce shipwrecks. At that time mariners had no accurate way of working out their position when out of sight of land. They could find their latitude (north-south position) by observing the sun or stars, but not their longitude (east-west position). As a result many sailors' lives were lost when their ships struck rocks unexpectedly. By the 1770s the problem of longitude had been solved. One answer was for a ship's captain to carry a reliable clock to keep ‘Greenwich Time' throughout the voyage. Alternatively he could use the Moon as a clock by measuring its position in the sky, relative to nearby stars, and referring to a detailed set of tables prepared annually at Greenwich. Armed with either of these timekeepers, or preferably both, mariners could make their own astronomical observations on board ship, and use them to work out their position anywhere on Earth. Solving the problem of longitude didn't mean the Observatory had nothing to do. The essential work of measuring time and compiling tables went on from year to year, and the Greenwich astronomers developed new interests too. In particular they began to do research,studying the stars and other objects in the sky, to find out what they are and how they work.
The Royal Greenwich Observatory at Herstmonceux
By the early twentieth century, London had expanded so much that Greenwich was enveloped. The city's smoky air and bright lights meant that astronomers could no longer study faint objects in the night sky. The remedy was to move the whole Observatory to the clearer, darker skies of Sussex. The transfer began in 1947, and by 1958 the Royal Greenwich Observatory was fully up and running at Herstmonceux. At its peak, over 200 people worked at The Observatory in Herstmonceux and lived in the local community. The people who actually operated the telescopes at Herstmonceux were called ‘night observers'. They were on duty every night when the sky was clear and the Moon not too bright. On the Thompson 26-inch telescope, for example, the night observer's job was to line up the telescope on a succession of specified points in the sky, workingfrom a prearranged list of ‘shots', and to load in a photographic plate for each shot and expose it for a time that usually ranged from five minutes up to an hour or more. It was precision work which required much care and skill. Cold was a great enemy, since the domes had to be unheated to prevent currents of warm air blurring the photographs
The Equatorial Group at Herstmonceux
The building was constructed in the 1950's, and was built to house three reflecting and three refracting telescopes in the six green domes. It is known as the ‘Equatorial Group' after the way the telescopes are mounted. The architect was Brian O'Rorke and the work was completed in 1958. With its unique arrangement of domes around a central bastion the Equatorial Group was one of the most important government commissioned building projects of its period. The domes were clad in copper sheet and coated with a chemical that has helped them to weather to today's distinctive green - one of the features that was intended to make the buildings blend into the Sussex countryside. Modern observatories now have domes painted white or silver to reflect away any daytime heat. The base of the domes were faced with wood-burnt West Sussex brick. The balconies and window surrounds finished in Portland stone; the terrace paved in Yorkstone with Portland stone steps and edgings. The external walls were clad in knapped flint - a traditional Sussex finish, which was a further attempt by the architect to help the buildings ‘blend in'. Flint knapping is an ancient skill, also used to make stone tools and weapons, in which lumps of flint are shaped by striking them with preciselyaimed blows; in this case to form cubes with glassy blue sides. In the 1950's it proved difficult to find a flint knapper with the appropriate skills, but eventually a 90 year old gentleman from Lewes, East Sussex, was coaxed out of retirement. The buildings were finished to the highest standards and at considerable cost. However, astronomers found the layout inconvenient and even hazardous. Look around the site - at the various levels and walkways, and imagine this in the dark with few of the current railings in place. There are tales of the occasional stumble into the lily pond.
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facebook.comLooking forward to welcoming back friends and supporters and meeting new faces at the first Open Evening of the year.
Telescope Clinic Do you have a telescope but don't really know how to use it properly and need some friendly advice? Have you just been given a telescope as a present or is one still sitting in its box gathering dust and you would like to learn how to use it? Well this is the course for you! Throughout the day, local astronomy enthusiasts will be able to guide you through your telescope and help you set it up ready to begin your observations. The day will begin with an introduction about telescopes, the terminology used and the parts that make up the telescope and how they work. This will be followed by small group sessions when you get really hands-on. The early evening will be dedicated to looking through your telescope and getting to grips with what your telescope is capable of (weather permitting). When you make your booking please let us know the make and type of telescope, including the mount if known, so that when you bring it along with you we can make sure you are put into the correct small group. The price of the day includes tea/coffee and biscuits during a mid-afternoon break followed by an early evening supper of beef lasagne or jacket potato with cheese and beans both served with garlic bread and salad. Please let us know your preference when you book. We recommend warm clothing for all evening courses and a red light torch if you have one. BOOKING ESSENTIAL Cost £50 per person Numbers are limited to 30 people so book early! Please phone the Centre on 01323 832731 to secure your place using a debit or credit card. Leave a message through the Christmas / New Year period and we will make contact from mid January.
What to expect on our Observatory Science Centre Open Evenings. If you are interested in the night sky and wondered what it would be like to look at the stars, planets and the moon through some of the country's largest telescopes, here is your opportunity! Join us on an open evening and take a glimpse of what it would have been like to use these amazing instruments. We plan a cloudy night contingency talk which is usually a planetarium show in our large white geodesic tent - if there are enough people in the Centre. If you have mobility issues please contact the centre for further details if required. Our site is very dark and we keep lighting to a minimum to preserve night vision and make sure you have the best possible experience in terms of viewing the night sky. This inevitably means that there are areas that are dimly lit or very dark. With high walkways, ramps and steps throughout the Centre you need to take great care when moving around. PLEASE BRING A TORCH and wear sensible footwear. Follow the link to our website for more information: https://goo.gl/gYiEHt
YOUR DONATIONS REALLY HELP OUR CHARITY - THANK YOU What you managed to help fund! During our annual Astronomy Festival weekend we take the opportunity to promote awareness of our Charity. Throughout the weekend we fund-raise for much needed funds to continue the upkeep and maintenance of the historic telescopes here at the Observatory Science Centre. We would like to thank all of you who gave so generously to our raffle plus everyone who took part in the Astronomy Festival weekend. In October 2017 one of the shutters on Dome D had a major problem, fixing it required some serious specialised scaffolding! Thankfully the scaffolding company managed to pull out all the stops and get the tower up quickly and efficiently. The essential work was carried out and we took the opportunity to continue our maintenance programme so everything was greased and oiled, tweaked and adjusted. The Dome was up and ready again within about 3 weeks, just in time for the Uniformed Twilight week and Open Evenings. Your support enables the legacy to continue for all.
MERRY CHRISTMAS We are now closed for the season but would like to take this opportunity to thank all our visitors, volunteers and supporters for a fantastic 2017. We re-open in JANUARY 2018 Open Weekend of 20th & 21st daytime 10am - 5pm (last admission at 3pm) 20th Open Evening 6.30 - 11pm SPECIAL OFFER £5 per person per session throughout the weekend to celebrate the New Year Fully open 7 days per week from Saturday 27th January Best Wishes to ALL from the OSC team.
OPEN EVENING at Observatory Science Centre The Centre will open for the evening on Saturday 9th December from 6.30pm-11pm. This is the last open evening of the season and coincides with spotting some Geminids meteors. This meteor shower is now considered the most active and reliable shower with slower moving shooting stars making them easier to see. Apart from looking for meteors with your unaided eye we will be using the fabulous historic telescopes to look at some fascinating objects such as the Orion Nebula. For more information: https://goo.gl/WA698S
We are delighted to report the huge success of our 50th Anniversary Event, celebrating the inauguration of the 98" Isaac Newton Telescope at the Observatory Science Centre, held last Friday. The iconic former home of the Isaac Newton Telescope is a well recognized dome placed in the rural Sussex landscape. Surrounded by trees originally planted to help keep the air cool to aid viewing of the astronomical heavens, the dome took on a cloak of colours for this event to welcome the return of some of the original key people involved during the days the Royal Observatory operated from the INT (Isaac Newton Telescope) and the six green domes of the Equatorial Group. The now Observatory Science Centre welcomed a host of VIPs including eminent astronomers who both charmed and generously shared their stories with the visiting public. To the delight of all guests the evening continued with a live link to La Palma in the Canary Islands that forms part of the International 'Roque de los Muchachos Observatory' the current home of the Isaac Newton Telescope. The Observing team in La Palma were able to show the INT in operation with a target for the evening of V404 Cyg - with focus on the accretion disk around the stellar black hole. This being delightfully significant as the INT helped to confirm the very existence of the first stellar mass black hole whilst at Herstmonceux. The welcome news of the future of the Isaac Newton Telescope at La Palma, is that its operation will continue for at least the next 10 years on a programme that includes the use of remote technology enabling time to use the telescope off location. The evening concluded with a live link toast to all past, present and future parties, and the opportunity for VIPs and guests to view through the historic telescopes of the Equatorial Group. Our special thanks to Paul Murdin, Chas Parker, Donald Lynden-Bell, Bob Fosbury, Keith Tritton, Marc Balcells, Chris Benn and the rest of the staff on La Palma. Thanks also to Johnfox Photography and Katana Aerial Imaging for the photographs, James Harris Hire for the lighting, our supporters and volunteers that made this event happen and finally to our OSC team.
Exclusive Book NOW AVAILABLE The Isaac Newton Telescope - at Herstmonceux and on La Palma 2017 EDITION NOW AVAILABLE We have produced a limited edition of just 200 gold-foiled copies to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT). These are available with the exclusive INT pin badge designed for us by Brighton based artist Mark Charlton. ( www.markcharltonart.com ) Paperback, 104 colour and black/white illustrations. By Anthony Wilson. Science Projects Publishing 2017. ISBN 978 0 9512394 2 1 Exclusively available from The Observatory Science Centre shop or via mail order. Cost £23 (including p & p) Please call us to make card payments. Cheques payable to 'Science Projects Ltd' and send to: The Observatory Science Centre Herstmonceux East Sussex BN27 1RN
PICTURES BY OTHER USERS ON INSTAGRAM
Moon filter seemed appropriate for photos taken at an observatory 🌕☄️💫⭐️☀️ #space #observatory #science #herstmonceuxobservatory #herstmonceuxsciencecentre #herstmonceux
Beautiful morning at The Science Centre 🔭 #herstmonceux #sciencecentre #fun #familyfun #dayout #sunny #weekend #schoolholidays #cloudy #observatory #outdoors #family #educational ⋆KB
So quiet and reserved
I got the power
Fun times with a mirror!
#stargazing at #herstmonceuxobservatory #starryskies #darkskiesfestival
#stargazing at #herstmonceux this evening #darkskies #darkskiesfestival #stars #rlfujifilm #shotonmyfuji #telescope
#darkskiesfestival at #herstmonceuxobservatory #starspotting #starrynight
#stargazing at #herstmonceux this evening #darkskies #darkskiesfestival #stars #rlfujifilm #shotonmyfuji #telescope
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