Member Article

New funding boosts second observatory plans at Kielder

Kielder Observatory’s second state-of-the-art observatory, currently under construction and set to open early next year, has been buoyed by a further funding boost of £50k.

The funds, from the Gillian Dickinson Trust, will be put towards the project costing £250k in total.

Now in its ninth year, Kielder Observatory has established itself as the UK’s number one Dark Sky stargazing haven and receives visitors from across the world.

Work is well underway on the project in the protected Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, which means it possesses exceptional starry nights.

The new observatory will be fully accessible and comprise a single storey building housing a fully automated telescope with retractable roof, presentation room, kitchen and toilet facilities. In addition there will be external observation with fully accessible deck areas.

James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive of the NECC and a Trustee of the Gillian Dickinson Trust, said: “The Gillian Dickinson Trust is delighted to be able to support the Kielder Observatory as it works to inspire young people from across the North East with the beauty and the science of the heavens.

“Photographing the creative wonders of the universe will capture amazing images whilst also capturing their imagination.

“With other major grants totalling nearly £207,000, received from the Heritage Lottery Fund, LEADER funding, Northumbria Water and Northumberland Council, this further grant is another great boost for the completion of the new observatory.”

Gary Fildes, Kielder Observatory’s founder and lead astronomer, said “The new observatory will be used as an addition to the existing visitor experience.

“Using high tech research grade instruments and tracking mounts, the facility will be research-ready and able to be used by the professional astronomers. The aim will be to use the technology to spot distant planets around far away stars, known as EXO-planets, do supernova searches and plot asteroids.”

“It will enable the science team to provide even more resources to the community who visit us.Our aim is to enthuse, educate and inspire all of our visitors and with the support of our partners across this wonderful region we will continue to excel.”