Observatory Experience in the Midlands?
Discussion
Hello,
My father has a birthday coming up and I wanted to do something a bit different from buying some stuff, as he doesn't tend to have anything he wants when probed. He is not a space geek, but we both have an interest and he has, every now and then, mentioned getting a telescope.
I am wondering if there is an experience I can buy where you can go to an observatory and have someone knowledgable talk to you and let you see things of note through a much more powerful device than you're ever likely to have as an individual? He lives in the East Midlands, so somewhere not too far from the Midlands would be preferable, but I appreciate that large telescopes are not exactly prolific.
Does such an experience exist? Or are large telescopes too in demand for Joe Public to come and have a look? I am aware that it is not simply a case of turning up and seeing the heavens arrayed for you. I understand that weather, time of year, positions of other bodies is going to limit what you can see at any particular time. I've found a website with experiences for Kielder Observatory so far, but haven't found much more. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Thanks!
My father has a birthday coming up and I wanted to do something a bit different from buying some stuff, as he doesn't tend to have anything he wants when probed. He is not a space geek, but we both have an interest and he has, every now and then, mentioned getting a telescope.
I am wondering if there is an experience I can buy where you can go to an observatory and have someone knowledgable talk to you and let you see things of note through a much more powerful device than you're ever likely to have as an individual? He lives in the East Midlands, so somewhere not too far from the Midlands would be preferable, but I appreciate that large telescopes are not exactly prolific.
Does such an experience exist? Or are large telescopes too in demand for Joe Public to come and have a look? I am aware that it is not simply a case of turning up and seeing the heavens arrayed for you. I understand that weather, time of year, positions of other bodies is going to limit what you can see at any particular time. I've found a website with experiences for Kielder Observatory so far, but haven't found much more. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Thanks!
Edited by Prawo Jazdy on Saturday 3rd September 15:07
There is Jodrel Bank in Cheshire - but it might be a bit further than you want to travel.
This list may help - but I suspect most of these are too far away.
https://www.list.co.uk/article/75129-our-guide-to-...
This list may help - but I suspect most of these are too far away.
https://www.list.co.uk/article/75129-our-guide-to-...
Prawo Jazdy said:
Hello,
My father has a birthday coming up and I wanted to do something a bit different from buying some stuff, as he doesn't tend to have anything he wants when probed. He is not a space geek, but we both have an interest and he has, every now and then, mentioned getting a telescope.
I am wondering if there is an experience I can buy where you can go to an observatory and have someone knowledgable talk to you and let you see things of note through a much more powerful device than you're ever likely to have as an individual? He lives in the East Midlands, so somewhere not too far from the Midlands would be preferable, but I appreciate that large telescopes are not exactly prolific.
Does such an experience exist? Or are large telescopes too in demand for Joe Public to come and have a look? I am aware that it is not simply a case of turning up and seeing the heavens arrayed for you. I understand that weather, time of year, positions of other bodies is going to limit what you can see at any particular time. I've found a website with experiences for Kielder Observatory so far, but haven't found much more. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Thanks!
I thought many of the Royal Observatories had closed, as their original remit for charting shipping locations had been answered with the event of the GPS?My father has a birthday coming up and I wanted to do something a bit different from buying some stuff, as he doesn't tend to have anything he wants when probed. He is not a space geek, but we both have an interest and he has, every now and then, mentioned getting a telescope.
I am wondering if there is an experience I can buy where you can go to an observatory and have someone knowledgable talk to you and let you see things of note through a much more powerful device than you're ever likely to have as an individual? He lives in the East Midlands, so somewhere not too far from the Midlands would be preferable, but I appreciate that large telescopes are not exactly prolific.
Does such an experience exist? Or are large telescopes too in demand for Joe Public to come and have a look? I am aware that it is not simply a case of turning up and seeing the heavens arrayed for you. I understand that weather, time of year, positions of other bodies is going to limit what you can see at any particular time. I've found a website with experiences for Kielder Observatory so far, but haven't found much more. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Thanks!
Thanks for the replies everyone, I think Kielder is the closest to what I had in mind, but would involve bundling it with a weekend away or something, so would not work as a surprise. As for the space centre at Leicester, I went there probably 14 years ago. It was OK but I think more aimed at children. Thanks again for the suggestions.
How about this place?
https://spaceguardcentre.com/
It's just over the Shropshire border near Knighton. My dad lives close by and says it's brilliant and the guy that does the tours is a proper mad scientist type.
We've not been yet but it's on the to do list.
https://spaceguardcentre.com/
It's just over the Shropshire border near Knighton. My dad lives close by and says it's brilliant and the guy that does the tours is a proper mad scientist type.
We've not been yet but it's on the to do list.
Eric Mc said:
What about the National Space Centre near Leicester? It's not an observatory but it is space related.
I admit I've never been so can't vouch for how good it is.
Ive been, its great ( granted there is a lot of focus for younger attendees ) but dont let that get in a way of a great day out.I admit I've never been so can't vouch for how good it is.
the planetarium is absolutely fantastic and if you check online before you go, so you can see what there doing in it on a particular day first.
The Red button near the rocket is good for a laugh too
Sherwood Observatory near Mansfield has regular "Open Evenings"...
http://sherwood-observatory.org.uk/
http://sherwood-observatory.org.uk/
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