Monday, May 10, 2010

Dundee Observatory

Looking over Balinbreich Castle and the River Tay North Fife to Dundee. Within the wooded area on the top right of the view sits The Mills Observatory. I have visited several times, it was quite fascinating to view the rings of Saturn on one of my visits.

The Mills Observatory in Dundee, Scotland, is the only full-time public astronomical observatory in the UK. 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 the only surviving observatory dome in the world made from papier-mâché.


View Larger Map
The actual observatory is not where marked with an A but north west in Balgay Park, click the sat button it will be unmistakable, It lies to the west of the circular road.
Mills Observatory
Glamis Road
Balgay Park
Dundee DD2 2UB

Admission is FREE to the Observatory and displays. A small charge applies to group visits and for public Planetarium Shows.
Opening Times
April to September
Tuesday to Friday, 11 am - 5 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12.30 - 4 pm
October to March
Monday to Friday, 4 pm -10 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12.30 - 4 pm
The dome is open every weekday evening from October to March, weather permitting, except Public Holidays.

Gifted to the people of Dundee in 1935, with a bequest from John Mills, a linen and twine manufacturer and a keen amateur scientist, Mills Observatory was designed by the City Architect, Mr McLellan Brown in collaboration with Professor Ralph Sampson the Astronomer Royal for Scotland. Built of sandstone, it has a distinctive 7-metre dome.

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