Meade have very generously donated another telescope to raffle at the Astronomy Festival. This year ...
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20th Jul 2010 15:47
The Centre will open from 8pm on the 12th August for a chance to spot the Perseids Meteor Shower as ...
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20th Jul 2010 15:40
A new gallery has been launched on the web site to showcase some of the amazing photos taken during ...
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29th Apr 2010 15:57
The Observatory Science Centre
Herstmonceux
Hailsham
East Sussex
BN27 1RN
Herstmonceux
Hailsham
East Sussex
BN27 1RN
Tel: 01323 832731
Fax: 01323 832741
Fax: 01323 832741
Astronomy
Astronomy at the Observatory Science Centre
The Observatory Science Centre is home to six historical telescopes which were left behind when the Royal Greenwich Observatory (RGO) finally closed its doors at Herstmonceux and moved to Cambridge in 1990.
Under the aegis of Science Projects Ltd an extensive programme of restoration and repair of the domes and telescopes was completed in 2004 with the aid of a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Today at least 3 of the telescopes are used during open evenings for viewing with a fourth almost there! In fact the 26-inch Thompson refractor was used recently for a very special historic occasion.Venetia Burney-Phair visited to view Pluto for the very first time after naming it in 1930 as an 11 year old school girl.
The telescopes are not only being used by the public on open evenings and special evening events, they are also used during twilight visits by schools and Scouting and Guiding groups. The centre can also be hired for private evening group visits which includes viewing, weather permitting of course!
Under the aegis of Science Projects Ltd an extensive programme of restoration and repair of the domes and telescopes was completed in 2004 with the aid of a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Today at least 3 of the telescopes are used during open evenings for viewing with a fourth almost there! In fact the 26-inch Thompson refractor was used recently for a very special historic occasion.Venetia Burney-Phair visited to view Pluto for the very first time after naming it in 1930 as an 11 year old school girl.
The telescopes are not only being used by the public on open evenings and special evening events, they are also used during twilight visits by schools and Scouting and Guiding groups. The centre can also be hired for private evening group visits which includes viewing, weather permitting of course!