Kielder Observatory
{{Short description|Observatory in Northumberland, England}}
{{Infobox Observatory
| bgcolour =
| name = Kielder Observatory
| image = 250px
| caption = Kielder Observatory
| organization = [http://www.kielderobservatory.org/ Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society]
| location = Kielder Forest, Northumberland, England
| coords = {{coord|55|13|55|N|2|36|58.5|W|type:landmark}}
| altitude = 370 m (1,214 ft)
| weather =
| established = 2008
| telescope1_name = Sir Patrick Moore Observatory
| telescope1_type = 16 inch TS Optics f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Reflector
| telescope2_name = Caroline Herschel Observatory
| telescope2_type = 16 inch ACF telescope
| telescope3_name = Portable Telescopes
| telescope3_type = 3 x 12 inch Skywatcher Skyliner 300P Dobsonian
| telescope4_name = Gillian Dickinson Astroimaging Academy 1
| telescope4_type = 10 inch TS Optics Ritchey-Chretien Reflector
| telescope5_name = Gillian Dickinson Astroimaging Academy 2
| telescope5_type = 14 inch TS Optics Ritchey-Chretien Reflector
| telescope6_name = Gillian Dickinson Astroimaging Academy 3
| telescope6_type = 4 inch Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 Refractor
| telescope7_name = Tanlaw Radio Telescope
| telescope7_type = 5m Radio2Space PrimaLuce SPIDER 500 Radio
}}
Kielder Observatory is an astronomical observatory located in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, England. The site is on Black Fell, overlooking Kielder Water near the Scottish border. It is accessible from James Turrell's Kielder Skyspace via a half-mile long forest track.
The observatory's design is the result of a competition managed by RIBA Competitions which was won by London-based Charles Barclay Architects. The building is powered by solar panels and a wind turbine.{{cite web | url=http://www.kielderobservatory.org/about/history/ | title=Kielder Observatory History | accessdate=2015-04-14 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102141128/http://www.kielderobservatory.org/about/history/ | archivedate=2014-11-02 }} It won the RIBA Award{{cite web | url=http://www.architecture.com/RIBA/Competitions/CaseStudies/Cultureandleisure/VisitorCentres/KielderObservatory/KielderObservatory.aspx | title=RIBA award | accessdate=2015-04-14 }} for its architecture in 2009 and also that same year a Civic Trust Award.{{cite news|url=http://www.newspostleader.co.uk/news/local/kielder-observatory-scoops-major-award-1-1629800|title=Kielder Observatory scoops major award|date=23 March 2009|work=News Post Leader|accessdate=29 December 2012}}
The observatory is administered by the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society, which is a registered charity consisting of a board of Trustees and ten permanent members of staff responsible for educational delivery.
History
Kielder Forest was a popular place for stargazing before the construction of the observatory, with the Kielder Forest Star Camp being an annual event.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/north-east-analysis/analysis-news/how-former-brickie-gary-fildes-8030984|title=How former brickie Gary Fildes reached for the stars|work=The Journal|last=Kelly|first=Mike|language=en|access-date=2019-03-24}} Amateur astronomer Gary Fildes—who had been involved with the Star Camp—began advocating for an observatory to be built within the forest and led a campaign that raised several hundred thousand pounds to pay for construction. Kielder Observatory was officially opened on 25 April, 2008 by Sir Arnold Wolfendale, the 14th Astronomer Royal,{{cite news|url=http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/news_at_a_glance/1.252281|title=From Big Bang to the night sky in winter...|date=10 October 2008|work=Hexham Courant|accessdate=29 December 2012|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130420124451/http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/news_at_a_glance/1.252281|archivedate=20 April 2013|url-status=dead}} and in its first year entertained approximately 1200 guests. In 2014, the observatory had nearly 20,000 visitors, thus making it one of the top tourist destinations in Northumberland.
In 2018, Kielder Observatory expanded to accommodate construction of the Gillian Dickinson Astroimaging Academy.{{Cite web |date=2018-05-03 |title=New observatory opens at Kielder – with video |url=https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/16613757.new-observatory-opens-kielder---video/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Hexham Courant |language=en}}
The observatory also runs educational outreach activities in schools throughout the region via a project co-funded by various local authorities. In 2019, Kielder Observatory was awarded funding and contract for delivery in the North of Tyne Combined Authority{{Cite web |last=Creative |first=Kino |date=2019-11-01 |title=Combined Authority helps schoolchildren reach for the stars |url=https://www.northoftyne-ca.gov.uk/news/kielder/ |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=NTCA |language=en-GB}} district.
In 2021, the observatory constructed a {{Convert|5|m|ft|abbr=on}} Radio2Space Radio Antenna, donated by the Tanlaw Foundation. This project is intended to educate the general public on Radio Astronomy and assist teaching programmes in schools.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-59225881 | title=Kielder Observatory: New telescope can scan cloudy skies... | work=BBC News | date=9 November 2021 | accessdate=2021-12-28 }}
In 2023, the otherwise named 16 inch Observatory, was renamed to the Caroline Herschel Observatory in memorandum of her contributions to science and astronomy. A plaque was unveiled by local author LJ Ross.{{cite web | url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/northumberland-author-unveils-kielder-observatory-27201600
| title=Renaming of observing turret at Kielder Observatory | date=27 June 2023 | accessdate=2024-01-24 }}
Staff
The science communication team at the observatory consists of practical and observational astronomers and astrophysicists.{{cite web | url=http://www.kielderobservatory.org/our-team/| title=Kielder Observatory Our Team | accessdate=2021-12-28 }}
- Dan Pye – Director of Astronomy and Science Communication{{cite web | url=https://kielderobservatory.org/the-observatory/the-team/124-dan-pye | title=Dan Pye | accessdate=2021-12-28 }}
- Daniel Monk – Director of the Gillian Dickinson Astro-imaging Academy{{cite web | url=https://kielderobservatory.org/the-observatory/the-team/127-dan-monk | title=Daniel Monk | accessdate=2021-12-28 }}
- Eleanor Macdonald – Science Lead{{cite web | url=https://kielderobservatory.org/the-observatory/the-team/126-ellie-macdonald | title=Eleanor Macdonald | accessdate=2021-12-28 }}
- Adam Shore – Education Lead{{cite web | url=https://kielderobservatory.org/the-observatory/the-team/125-adam-shore | title=Adam Shore| accessdate=2021-12-28 }}
Awards
- [http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/local-news/awards-night-rewards-the-pride-of-northumberland-1-7166561 Northumberland What's On Where Award 2015 – Best Visitor Attraction]
- [http://www.newcastlegateshead.net/corporate/what-we-do/tourism-awards North East Tourism Awards 2014 – Small Visitor Attraction (Silver Award)]
- [https://www.visitengland.com/biz/media-centre/press-releases/2013/may-2013/winners-visitengland-awards-excellence-2013-announced Visit England Gold Award 2013 – Kielder Water Forest Park]
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Official website|http://www.kielderobservatory.org/}}
- [https://twitter.com/kielder_obs Kielder Observatory on Twitter]
- [https://gostargazing.co.uk/events/locations/kielder-observatory/ Kielder Observatory on Go Stargazing]
- [https://archive.today/20130423192505/http://www.civictrustawards.org.uk/winners/2009/CTA006197/ Civic Trust Award Page on the Observatory]
- [http://www.kielderforeststarcamp.org/ Kielder Forest Star Camp]
{{Portal bar|England|Astronomy|Stars|Spaceflight|Outer space|Solar System|Education|Science}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Northumberland
Category:Amateur astronomy organizations
Category:Astronomical observatories in England
Category:Infrastructure completed in 2008