An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial, marine, or celestial events. Astronomy , climatology / meteorology , geophysics , oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed.
82-506: Mills Observatory is the first purpose-built public astronomical observatory in the UK, located in Dundee , Scotland . Built in 1935, the observatory is classically styled in sandstone and has a distinctive 7 m dome, which houses a Victorian refracting telescope , a small planetarium , and display areas. The dome is one of two made from papier-mâché to survive in the UK, the other being at
164-521: A 127% increase in visitor numbers and significant interest in the observatory, whilst the Caird Park golf course and Broughty Castle are set to close in April and October 2025 respectively, with a final vote to be held on 2 December 2024. The main telescope is a 400mm (16inch) Dobsonian reflector that was acquired in 2013. The observatory also houses a Victorian 0.25m (10 inch) Cooke refractor, with
246-473: A career. While attending St. Andrews University, the astronomer Robert H. McNaught was a regular visitor to the Observatory and became a friend of Harry Ford. In 1990 he discovered two minor planets, 6906 Johnmills and 6907 Harry Ford , which he named after John Mills and Harry Ford. The booklet The Mills Observatory -A Historical Survey by Thomas Flood was published in 1986, while Dr. Fiona Vincent
328-540: A focal length of 3.75 m. It was made in York in 1871 by Thomas Cooke and the optical components are of the highest quality. The telescope is actually older than the building. The dome also houses a 0.3m (12 inch) Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, which was purchased in 2006. When the Mills Observatory opened on 28 October 1935, it originally housed a 450mm (18 inch) reflecting telescope, constructed by
410-480: A full-time contract. He was accordingly the first full-time Curator of the Mills Observatory in 1972. This meant that the Observatory could, for the first time, operate on a full-time basis. The DAS became involved in work of the Observatory with the stimulation and encouragement given by Ford, who had inaugurated a programme for the instruction of the public using visual aids and experimental techniques. He also built up interest by excellent public relations work, so that
492-560: A paper entitled Some points in the theory of errors . He retired in 1937 aged 71 due to failing health, and subsequently moved to Bath. He died, aged 73, in Bath, Somerset on 7 November 1939. In 1893 he married Ida M. Binney (1868-1940) of the Prescott (Liverpool) area, south Lancashire. She died a year later than her husband in Poole, Dorset. His daughter, Peggie Sampson (1912-2004)
574-596: A remote 5,640 m (18,500 ft) mountaintop in the Atacama Desert of Chile. The oldest proto-observatories, in the sense of an observation post for astronomy, The oldest true observatories, in the sense of a specialized research institute , include: Space-based observatories are telescopes or other instruments that are located in outer space , many in orbit around the Earth. Space telescopes can be used to observe astronomical objects at wavelengths of
656-428: A slit or other opening in the roof that can be opened during observing, and closed when the telescope is not in use. In most cases, the entire upper portion of the telescope dome can be rotated to allow the instrument to observe different sections of the night sky. Radio telescopes usually do not have domes. For optical telescopes, most ground-based observatories are located far from major centers of population, to avoid
738-414: A special journey to Dundee during their holidays. Dr. Patrick Moore , well known TV and radio personality, praised the work of the Observatory as being "quite unique in his experience." He himself has visited the Observatory on a number of occasions. The period from 1971 to 1977 was a particularly fruitful one in the history of the Observatory. This was the period of the great upsurge of interest due to
820-598: A transfer to the Museums Department. The railings were removed during the War, since when the park has had "open access." During the years 1935 to 1939 there was one staff change - Mr. Dorward retired and was succeeded by Mr. McDonald. Shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War the Observatory was closed for the duration and the staff re-deployed to work of more immediate national importance. After
902-419: A week at the absolute reference point calibration measurements are performed. Example magnetic observatories include: Example seismic observation projects and observatories include: Example gravitational wave observatories include: A volcano observatory is an institution that conducts the monitoring of a volcano as well as research in order to understand the potential impacts of active volcanism. Among
SECTION 10
#1732779554873984-403: A year visit the Observatory and make use of its unique facilities. Admission is free to the observatory and displays, with a small charge for public planetarium shows. Groups are admitted to visit the Observatory at any time during opening hours. Special visits incorporating a planetarium show and observing with the main telescope, weather permitting. A small charge is payable for group visits.and
1066-492: Is a enjoyable place The lecture room can accommodate up to 40, and provision is available to project 35 mm slides, 6 cm slides, overhead transparencies, or television-based video media. The observatory shop sells a variety of items including telescopes, souvenirs and minerals . Telescopes are also available from the observatory shop. These are the Skywatcher 114 mm and 60 mm refractor telescopes. Click
1148-833: Is a facility which precisely measures the total intensity of Earth's magnetic field for field strength and direction at standard intervals. Geomagnetic observatories are most useful when located away from human activities to avoid disturbances of anthropogenic origin, and the observation data is collected at a fixed location continuously for decades. Magnetic observations are aggregated, processed, quality checked and made public through data centers such as INTERMAGNET . The types of measuring equipment at an observatory may include magnetometers (torsion, declination-inclination fluxgate, proton precession, Overhauser-effect), variometer (3-component vector, total-field scalar), dip circle , inclinometer , earth inductor, theodolite , self-recording magnetograph, magnetic declinometer, azimuth compass. Once
1230-444: Is a scientific institution whose main task is to make observations in the fields of meteorology, geomagnetism and tides that are important for the navy and civil shipping. An astronomical observatory is usually also attached. Some of these observatories also deal with nautical weather forecasts and storm warnings, astronomical time services, nautical calendars and seismology. Example marine observatories include: A magnetic observatory
1312-415: Is limited to 20 for public shows. The display area is split into two parts. The main area in the centre of the building at ground floor level provides changing displays of pictures and models, and also houses the observatory shop. The upper level provides displays of historic equipment and information of local importance. Mills Observatory is operated by Leisure & Culture Dundee. More than 10,000 people
1394-467: Is represented by the pier in the Mills Observatory, which supports the telescope there. The planetarium is based around a Viewlex Apollo projector , which simulates the night sky on a domed roof in a darkened room. Around 1000 stars are displayed, along with the naked eye planets and the Milky Way . Auxiliary units simulate a rotating galaxy , and provide pictures of astronomical objects. Seating
1476-527: Is so good that, with modern cameras, good photographs can be taken. The Observatory has also acquired a number of smaller telescopes over the years. Sometime after the Cooke telescope was installed, Curator Bruce died. In the autumn of 1952, the Observatory resumed its public functions under a new Curator , Jaroslav Císař DSc, FRAS, a research astronomer at St. Andrews . Dr. Císař, from Czechoslovakia , soon aroused interest by his popular courses in astronomy at
1558-604: Is still used regularly for small groups of visitors. Dick Kennedy, the 20-serving caretaker of the Observatory, who began after McDonald left in the 1950s and continued until his retirement in 1973. He was succeeded as caretaker by Jim Richardson, who retired the following year. From then on the post was combined with that of Assistant to the Curator , and Thomas Flood took over that position. In February 1982, due to domestic circumstances, Ford resigned from his post as Curator and moved south. During his period Thomas Flood served as
1640-658: Is that, because of their location above the Earth's atmosphere, their images are free from the effects of atmospheric turbulence that plague ground-based observations. As a result, the angular resolution of space telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope is often much smaller than a ground-based telescope with a similar aperture . However, all these advantages do come with a price. Space telescopes are much more expensive to build than ground-based telescopes. Due to their location, space telescopes are also extremely difficult to maintain. The Hubble Space Telescope
1722-613: Is the Mauna Kea Observatory , located near the summit of a 4,205 m (13,796 ft) volcano in Hawaiʻi. The Chacaltaya Astrophysical Observatory in Bolivia, at 5,230 m (17,160 ft), was the world's highest permanent astronomical observatory from the time of its construction during the 1940s until 2009. It has now been surpassed by the new University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory , an optical-infrared telescope on
SECTION 20
#17327795548731804-543: The British Astronomical Association (BAA), who lived in the village of Four Marks , near Winchester . The telescope was used there by many famous amateurs involved in the work of the BAA and was always described by them as "the excellent 10-inch Cooke refractor". It is particularly good for observing fine lunar and planetary detail and although not basically designed for photographic work, the lens
1886-525: The Depression in the 1930s caused the matter to be raised once again, since it was felt that the project would provide much-needed work for the depressed building industry. Professor Sampson , Astronomer Royal for Scotland , was brought in as consultant. After examining several sites he came down strongly in favour of Balgay Hill as being by far the most suitable site, both in terms of astronomical suitability and for public access. This decision has stood
1968-691: The Godlee Observatory . The history of the observatory starts with John Mills (1806–1889), a manufacturer of linen and twine in the city of Dundee , and a keen amateur astronomer . As a young man and a member of the Original Secession Kirk , he had been greatly influenced by the Reverend Thomas Dick , philosopher and author of a number of books on Astronomy and Christian Philosophy . Dr Dick attempted to harmonize science and religion , and believed that
2050-478: The Newcastle based company of Grubb Parsons . The dome itself is made of papier-mâché with a steel frame, and was also supplied by Grubb Parsons. Refracting telescopes have long been regarded as the superior instrument for planetary observing. During the winter evening hours, given clear sky conditions, the telescope is used to show the public the night sky. On Balgay Hill, an outdoor planet trail, scale model of
2132-758: The Solar System , is arranged to entertain and educate the exploring visitor. The planet trail is a series of standing stones and plaques representing the Solar System . The visitor starts with the Sun on the eastern summit of the Hill, and following the trail to the west from the Sun , in the direction of Mills Observatory, he or she will encounter another eight rocks representing the planets Mercury , Venus , Earth , Mars , Jupiter , Saturn , Uranus and Neptune . Pluto
2214-478: The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy use airplanes to observe in the infrared , which is absorbed by water vapor in the atmosphere. High-altitude balloons for X-ray astronomy have been used in a variety of countries. Example underground, underwater or under ice neutrino observatories include: Example meteorological observatories include: A marine observatory
2296-615: The University College , Dundee, in the hope that they would be able to fulfil its terms. They, in turn, sought expert opinion from, among others, the Royal Greenwich Observatory , regarding the feasibility of such a project. The advice they received envisaged that only very limited public access would be possible. Evidently the College decided that the project did not fit into their plans, so they declined
2378-679: The University of Edinburgh . He did pioneering work in measuring the color temperature of stars. He did important research into the theory of the motions of Jupiter 's four Galilean satellites , for which he won the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1928. He served as president of the Royal Astronomical Society from 1915 to 1917. In June 1903, Sampson was elected a Fellow of
2460-618: The adult education classes and encouraged young amateurs, including a number who became active in the Dundee Astronomical Society (DAS), which was formed a few years later. He and A.S. Dow, Superintendent of the Parks Department, allowed the Society the use of the lecture-room of the Observatory for meetings. Dr. Císař, because of his St. Andrews commitments, could only devote a limited time to working at
2542-683: The southwestern United States , Hawaii , Canary Islands , the Andes , and high mountains in Mexico such as Sierra Negra . Major optical observatories include Mauna Kea Observatory and Kitt Peak National Observatory in the US, Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in Spain, and Paranal Observatory and Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile . Specific research study performed in 2009 shows that
Mills Observatory - Misplaced Pages Continue
2624-687: The Curator, latterly re-designated as City Astronomer. Ford was succeeded in October of that year by the present City Astronomer, Dr. Fiona Vincent, a research astronomer from St. Andrews . Thomas Flood retired later that same year and Gary Hannan, A former member of the DAS, took over astronomer's Assistant in February 1983. The 1982–1983 season was memorable in that the DAS Winter lectures included one by
2706-490: The DAS. Another significant event which stimulated local press interest was the expedition by Ford, Morgan Findlay and Dave Taylor to observe the 1973 total solar eclipse off the coast of Mauretania , as part of the BAA organised cruise on the ship "Monte Umbe", covered for the BBC by Patrick Moore and shown on his "Sky at Night" programme on television. The photographs obtained as a result of this trip form an important part of
2788-516: The Mills Observatory. In view of this, one of the keenest of the local amateurs, Harry Ford, a technician at Queen's College, became his assistant, and acted as Curator in Dr. Císař's absence. When eventually Dr. Cisar retired he recommended that Mr. Ford be appointed as his successor. This was agreed to by the Council so Ford took up his duties in 1967, first of all on a part-time basis, but eventually on
2870-429: The Observatory archives. In 1971, a meeting of Scottish astronomical societies was held in the Observatory, and a civic reception given to the delegates from all parts of Scotland. This was to be the first of a series of important meetings hosted by the Observatory. Possibly the greatest highlight of this entire period was the "Out of London" meeting of the BAA held on 25 September 1975 at the University of Dundee , which
2952-531: The Observatory attracted attention throughout the world of amateur astronomy . A number of exhibitions and "Open Days" were held at which the work of the local amateurs was exhibited. Ford also organised displays of the work of the Observatory and the local Society at the BAA’s Exhibition Meetings in London , which excited great interest among the assembled amateurs, and resulted in many of them making
3034-648: The Royal Society . In 1911 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh . His proposers were Sir Frank Watson Dyson , Sir James Walker , Arthur Robinson , and James Gordon MacGregor . He served as the Society's Vice President 1915 to 1918 and as Secretary 1922-23 and General Secretary 1923 to 1933. He won their Keith Prize for 1919–1920. At the fifth International Congress of Mathematicians held in 1912 in Cambridge , Sampson presented
3116-591: The Section, with the co-operation of the Museums Department. However, in November 1977, due to pressure of work, Ford resigned his directorship. During this period also the public work of the Observatory received a great boost, with many more visitors and parties of children and adults. Particular use of the facilities was made by school classes and youth groups. Ford extended the Observatory's displays by construction of many models including various space-crafts . He
3198-582: The Town Council refused, and there was much correspondence in the local press, and indignation among local amateurs, that the University should interfere with the affairs of a public institution. Professor W.H.M. Greaves , had succeeded Professor Sampson as Astronomer Royal for Scotland , was called upon to advise on the matter. In view of the scientific benefits of the move, and lack of interest shown by University College, Dundee , he recommended that
3280-541: The Visitor Centre attached to the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh . It is a brass instrument manufactured by George Lowden, a Dundee instrument-maker of that period, who supplied Mills with a number of his instruments. When Dundee Town Council received the bequest they were in something of a quandary. There was no precedent for any bequest of this nature, and their first thought was to offer the money to
3362-427: The balcony was available and observations were carried out with small instruments. The telescope was completed in 1950 and described as "the first of its kind in the world." Unfortunately, it was purely for photographic work, which rather contradicted the above assurance. However, matters took a different course. The expansion of the city north and west and the development of sodium and mercury street-lighting hampered
Mills Observatory - Misplaced Pages Continue
3444-807: The best known are the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the Vesuvius Observatory . Mobile volcano observatories exist with the USGS VDAP (Volcano Disaster Assistance Program), to be deployed on demand. Each volcano observatory has a geographic area of responsibility it is assigned to whereby the observatory is tasked with spreading activity forecasts, analyzing potential volcanic activity threats and cooperating with communities in preparation for volcanic eruption . Ralph Allen Sampson Ralph Allan (or Allen) Sampson FRS FRSE LLD (25 June 1866 – 7 November 1939)
3526-954: The best possible location for ground-based observatory on Earth is Ridge A — a place in the central part of Eastern Antarctica. This location provides the least atmospheric disturbances and best visibility. Beginning in 1933, radio telescopes have been built for use in the field of radio astronomy to observe the Universe in the radio portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Such an instrument, or collection of instruments, with supporting facilities such as control centres, visitor housing, data reduction centers, and/or maintenance facilities are called radio observatories . Radio observatories are similarly located far from major population centers to avoid electromagnetic interference (EMI) from radio , TV , radar , and other EMI emitting devices, but unlike optical observatories, radio observatories can be placed in valleys for further EMI shielding. Some of
3608-406: The building minus its dome . There would appear to have been, in addition to the main telescope, a transit room, and what was probably a study to record and write up his observations. The fact that he had a transit instrument signifies that he must have been doing timings of the passage of stars across the meridian , and was not just a casual observer. One of John Mills' telescope is on display in
3690-542: The current Director of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh , and Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Malcolm Longair , a native of Dundee . Dr. Patrick Moore also paid another visit to the Observatory in connection with a highly successful meeting of Scottish societies affiliated to the BAA, hosted by the Dundee society - one of a continuing series of astronomical meetings held at the Observatory. The following year saw
3772-423: The distance between stars ) or Stonehenge (which has some alignments on astronomical phenomena). Ground-based observatories, located on the surface of Earth, are used to make observations in the radio and visible light portions of the electromagnetic spectrum . Most optical telescopes are housed within a dome or similar structure, to protect the delicate instruments from the elements. Telescope domes have
3854-496: The dome, the original telescope given by the Mills Trust was an 18-inch (45 cm.) Newtonian reflector by Grubb Parsons , electrically driven. The dome itself, also built by Grubb, is hand-operated and made of papier-mâché on a framework of steel. The only part of the dome which has had to be replaced over the years is the shutter, where the papier-mâché perished and marine plywood was substituted. The 18-inch telescope
3936-477: The effects of light pollution . The ideal locations for modern observatories are sites that have dark skies, a large percentage of clear nights per year, dry air, and are at high elevations. At high elevations, the Earth's atmosphere is thinner, thereby minimizing the effects of atmospheric turbulence and resulting in better astronomical " seeing ". Sites that meet the above criteria for modern observatories include
4018-463: The electromagnetic spectrum that cannot penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and are thus impossible to observe using ground-based telescopes. The Earth's atmosphere is opaque to ultraviolet radiation, X-rays , and gamma rays and is partially opaque to infrared radiation so observations in these portions of the electromagnetic spectrum are best carried out from a location above the atmosphere of our planet. Another advantage of space-based telescopes
4100-490: The end of the 2023–24 season, the observatory was visited by 6,654 people, down from 7,424 at the end of the 2022–23 season. Following its opening for the 2024–25 season in October 2024, the observatory saw a huge surge in visitor numbers as a result of wider public attention through social media with nearly 4,000 visitors in the first month alone. In November 2024, it was revealed that officers from Dundee City Council recommended that Mills Observatory should remain open, citing
4182-485: The geography of Dundee is unique, in that it has Balgay Hill overlooking a river estuary, protected from the main lights of the city by trees which also help to provide a purer atmosphere, and at the same time very accessible to the public. Something like 40% of all nights are observable. Professor Sampson collaborated with James MacLellan Brown , the City Architect, in designing a much more modern building than
SECTION 50
#17327795548734264-408: The greatness of God could best be appreciated by the study of astronomy, to which he devoted his life after a period as an ordained minister at Methven . He advocated that every city should have public parks, public libraries and a public observatory. Mills built his own private observatory on the slopes of Dundee Law , near what is now Adelaide Place. An old print still exists showing the ruins of
4346-618: The image to enlarge Astronomical observatory The term observatoire has been used in French since at least 1976 to denote any institution that compiles and presents data on a particular subject (such as public health observatory ) or for a particular geographic area ( European Audiovisual Observatory ). Astronomical observatories are mainly divided into four categories: space-based , airborne , ground-based, and underground-based. Historically, ground-based observatories were as simple as containing an astronomical sextant (for measuring
4428-415: The inauguration of great changes at the Observatory, the net result of which improved the structure and facilities in a marked way the installation of central heating , the re-surfacing of the balcony, the general redecoration of the whole building, and the upgrading of the lecture-room to an audio-visual theatre with carpeted flooring. This, together with the development of the display area and sales section,
4510-529: The local press by the Reverend John Lees, who usually acted as chairman at public lectures given at the Observatory by visiting astronomers The first Curator was J. Grant Bruce FRAS, an instrument-maker from Newport , Fife . This was a part-time post, with a small salary. A full-time caretaker, George Dorward, was also appointed. Hours of opening were fixed, with special arrangements for visiting parties, and for qualified persons at other times. In
4592-480: The nights when the telescope was in use, and for him to supervise entry and exit of public and cars, and ensure no-one was left in the park after the observatory was locked up. This meant that all children had to be accompanied by an adult. For this reason the Council placed the Observatory under the administrative control of the Parks Superintendent, under whom it remained until reorganisation brought
4674-504: The observatory. Closure was threatened once more in May 2024 when a public consultation opened for the future of Mills Observatory, and the other two venues. In response, a petition was created which led to over 3,000 signatures, and in June 2024, STAR-Dundee, a space technology company based in Dundee, committed £50,000 to the observatory which will be distributed over the course of five years. At
4756-463: The observatory. Mills Observatory marked its 80th anniversary celebrations in 2015. The observatory saw an increase in visitors as a result of the March 2015 solar eclipse where Dundee had a 95% totality rate. As part of the 80th anniversary celebrations, a new exhibition, "Outer Space/Inner Space" opened in partnership with the University of Dundee . In 2022, Mills Observatory was featured as one of
4838-540: The offer. A Trust was then set up with the Town Council, and plans were drawn up to build the Observatory on the summit of Dundee Law. However, the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 put the whole project in pause, and the site it was intended to occupy was instead reserved for the War Memorial , which was erected after the end of hostilities. No further progress was made during the 1920s. The onset of
4920-603: The official opening of the new improved facilities by Dr. Patrick Moore in the presence of the Lord Provost , civic dignitaries, the Curator of Museums, Adam Ritchie, members of the Museums staff and invited guests. In his speech Dr Moore predicted that in the future, as in the past, the Mills Observatory would play a great part in the furtherance of amateur astronomy in Britain , and inspire some to take up astronomy as
5002-522: The one originally planned before the war. The structure is of sandstone blocks quarried from Leoch , near Rosemill. The Observatory was formally opened by Professor Sampson on 28 October 1935, and presented to the Town Council by Mr. Milne of the Mills Trust in the presence of Lord Provost Buist. A message of congratulation was sent by the Astronomer Royal at Greenwich, Sir H. Spencer Jones. Articles on current celestial objects were written in
SECTION 60
#17327795548735084-535: The original manuscript of Walter Goodacre’s observations of the Moon made with the 10-inch (250 mm) refractor, when it was in his ownership, saying that it was only fitting that the manuscript should be where the telescope was. Harry Ford succeeded Patrick Moore as Director of the BAA Lunar Section in 1976, with Findlay and Taylor as co-ordinators. Most of the work was carried out by local members of
5166-471: The planets, was opened by Professor John Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, in June 2004, which extends from the East summit of Balgay Hill (the ‘ Sun ’) to the Mills Observatory (‘ Pluto ’). At the same time as the trail was constructed its surroundings were sympathetically landscaped and a new viewpoint established on the East summit. In 2005, Apollo astronaut, David Scott , commander of Apollo 15 visited
5248-580: The space spectaculars of the USSR and United States, culminating in the Apollo missions to the Moon . In July 1969, during the period of the Apollo 11 landing on the Moon, the Observatory witnessed the largest gathering of people in its history, when a colour TV was installed in the lecture-room giving full coverage of the mission, interspersed with talks, slide-shows, and an exhibition, stewarded by members of
5330-494: The ten best astronomic observatories in the UK by the BBC Sky at Night magazine, ranking first. In February 2024, there were plans for the observatory to close as a result of budget cuts proposed by Dundee City Council alongside Broughty Castle and the Caird Park golf course. The proposal was met with much criticism and was overturned later in the month after funding was given to Leisure and Culture Dundee to continue operating
5412-400: The test of time, since other observatories have had their seeing conditions ruined by sodium lighting and other forms of modern pollution. The concept of a public observatory is, in a way, a contradiction in terms, since by definition, an observatory should be as far away from the public as possible. Most of the modern research observatories are situated on mountain-tops or desert areas. However,
5494-522: The transfer take place. This was done at the University's expense, and on the understanding that the two telescopes were on mutual loan. The 10-inch (250 mm) refractor had to be modified slightly to fit the Mills dome, and the dew-cap cannot safely be used. However, it proved to be a much superior instrument for public viewing than the old Newtonian reflector . Originally built in 1871 it was, at one time, privately owned by Walter Goodacre , president of
5576-492: The war, when the Observatory re-opened, the 18-inch (460 mm) telescope underwent a radical transformation. Professor E. Finlay Freundlich of St. Andrews University , together with his colleagues R. Waland, W. Threadgill and Curator Bruce, were planning the half-scale pilot model of the 37-inch (95 cm) Schmidt Cassegrain reflecting telescope now installed in the James Gregory building at St. Andrews . This
5658-504: The winter evenings, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were for the public, with Tuesdays and Thursdays reserved for private booked parties. During the day and throughout the summer, visitors could view the scenery from the balcony, using two four-inch (102 mm) Turret telescopes by Ross, suitable for terrestrial viewing. These were excellent telescopes, also very suitable for wide-field, low-power astronomical work. Unfortunately these are no longer functioning and only parts of one remain. In
5740-463: The work of stellar photography , so in February, 1951 Bruce and Professor Freundlich suggested that the pilot telescope be transferred to St. Andrews University Observatory, eleven miles (18 km) to the south, for better conditions and proximity to the workshops. Mills Observatory would then receive in exchange the 10-inch (25 cm.) Cooke refracting telescope formerly used as a student training instrument and now surplus to requirements. At first
5822-501: The world's major radio observatories include the Very Large Array in New Mexico , United States, Jodrell Bank in the UK , Arecibo in Puerto Rico , Parkes in New South Wales , Australia, and Chajnantor in Chile . A related discipline is Very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI). Since the mid-20th century, a number of astronomical observatories have been constructed at very high altitudes , above 4,000–5,000 m (13,000–16,000 ft). The largest and most notable of these
5904-623: Was a British astronomer . Sampson was born in Schull , County Cork in Ireland , then part of the UK . He was the fourth of five children to James Sampson, a Cornish-born metallurgical chemist, and his wife, Sarah Anne Macdermott. The family moved to Liverpool and Sampson attended the Liverpool Institute and then graduated from St. John's College , Cambridge in 1888. In 1891 he
5986-483: Was able to be serviced by the Space Shuttles while many other space telescopes cannot be serviced at all. Airborne observatories have the advantage of height over ground installations, putting them above most of the Earth's atmosphere. They also have an advantage over space telescopes: The instruments can be deployed, repaired and updated much more quickly and inexpensively. The Kuiper Airborne Observatory and
6068-433: Was also responsible for an important addition to the Observatory's facilities, namely the 12-seat planetarium or artificial sky, which he built himself from various oddments, and which proved a great attraction in its own right, particularly for the younger visitors, and for school parties. Although it has now been supplemented by a commercially-made planetarium which can accommodate larger parties, Ford's original planetarium
6150-582: Was awarded a scholarship to carry out astronomical research at Cambridge University . (He had been a student of astronomer John Couch Adams , and helped to edit and publish Part I of the second volume of Adams' papers in 1900). In 1893, Sampson was made Professor of Mathematics at Durham College of Science in Newcastle-on-Tyne and was elected Professor of Mathematics at Durham University in 1895. In December 1910, he became Astronomer Royal for Scotland (until 1937) and Professor of Astronomy at
6232-547: Was employed to work on the winter evenings when Dr Samson was not in attendance at the observatory. In 2003, the observatory was extensively refurbished with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. Disabled access and other facilities were added at that time. It was re-opened in February 2004 by HRH the Princess Royal. A 350-metre Planet Trail, in the form of standing stones with plaques to represent
6314-469: Was given by the Town Council for the Newtonian to be removed and the new instrument built in its place, on the assurance that: "this would give Dundee a much superior instrument for direct public observation as the pilot instrument would be left permanently mounted in Dundee and available for public use." During the next three years the telescope room was closed to the public while the work proceeded. Only
6396-505: Was in charge. Dr. Vincent resigned in 1989 and was succeeded by her assistant, Brian Kelly. Kelly remained in post until 1999 when he resigned and the position was taken up by Jeff Lashley, who remained in charge of the observatory until November 2001. Dr. Bill Samson took up the post of Heritage Officer (Mills Observatory) in February 2002 and became part-time Heritage Officer at the Mills in October 2004 and retired in March 2007. Ken Kennedy
6478-542: Was made possible by a grant from the Scottish Tourist Board , and meant the greatest upheaval since the Observatory was built. Despite this the work of the Observatory continued uninterrupted and indeed it hosted a record number of booked parties and casual visitors, a tribute to the efforts of the Astronomer and her Assistant. The social high point of 1984 for the Observatory occurred on June 21, with
6560-533: Was of a much more advanced design than the standard Schmidt telescopes then in use. The Americans were also working on a similar design and the St. Andrews team were keen to be the first to have it in operation. The problem was that they did not have a suitable mounting available in St. Andrews for the 19-inch (48 cm.) pilot model. They became interested in the Mills Observatory's Newtonian telescope as its mounting appeared ideally suited for their purpose. Permission
6642-402: Was organised by Harry Ford and the DAS, followed by a public lecture at night given by Patrick Moore on the subject of Mars . This attracted such a wide interest that the hall was packed to overflowing and many had to be turned away. The Lunar Section of the BAA met at the Mills Observatory on a number of occasions. At one such meeting in June 1972, Patrick Moore presented to the Observatory
6724-410: Was rarely used at full aperture, due to its tendency to be affected by reflections from street lights caused by the open lattice-work tube. One of the problems that restricted the astronomical work of the Observatory during this period was that Balgay Park was enclosed, and the gates were locked at dusk. Special arrangements had to be made with the Parks Department to have a gatekeeper on duty during
#872127