How Northumberland's Kielder Observatory is marking its 10th year

Northumberland’s Kielder Observatory is to mark its 10th anniversary this Thursday (April 26) with the opening of a new observatory.

The £250k Gillian Dickinson Astroimaging Academy, which sits alongside the existing Kielder Observatory, will be the new home for the Observatory’s education and outreach work, aiming to give children and young people the chance to ‘experience the universe’.

Kielder Observatory sits inside Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, Europe’s largest area of protected night sky. Since opening in 2008, more than 80,000 people have visited the Observatory to join talks, activities and telescope observing sessions celebrating the night sky.

Gary Fildes, founder and CEO of Kielder Observatory, said: “Our vision for Kielder Observatory when we opened was to let people experience the magic of our Universe.

“10 years on we’ve welcomed more than 80,000 people to the Observatory and I’m delighted we’re opening a second facility that will mean more people can enjoy the beauty of the night sky.

“The new observatory will be dedicated to teaching, learning and research. We want to enthuse the next generation about astronomy and let them see, first hand, the amazing world around them.”

The Gillian Dickinson Astroimaging Academy features fully automated telescopes, a retractable roof and presentation room.

As well as hosting educational and community events, its high tech research grade instruments and tracking mounts will allow professional astronomers to spot distant planets around far away stars, conduct supernova searches and plot asteroids.

The new observatory has been funded by the Gillian Dickinson Trust, National Lottery Funding through the Heritage Lottery Fund, LEADER funding, Northumbrian Water and Northumberland County Council.

Northumberland’s largest manufacturing employer, EGGER (UK) Limited also supported the new observatory by donating wood-based structural materials for the building and decorative laminate flooring.

Alexander Dickinson, trustee of the Gillian Dickinson Trust, added: “The Gillian Dickinson Astroimaging Academy will [provide] a place for children and young people to explore and learn about our universe by promoting art in space to inspire, educate and motivate.”

Sir Arnold Wolfendale, 14th Astronomer Royal, opened Kielder Observatory on April 26, 2008.

It is located near the Scottish border in Kielder Water & Forest Park, and sits inside the 572 sq mile Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, officially recognised by the International Dark Sky Association as Europe’s largest area of protected night sky.

Kielder Observatory runs events throughout the year, including Aurora Night, Family Astronomy and Night Sky Safari. Its astronomers uncover the universe as part of interactive sessions that include talks, telescope tours, demonstrations and stargazing.

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