University of London Observatory - Watford Way, Mill Hill, London, UK
N 51° 36.799 W 000° 14.514
30U E 690955 N 5721635
The University of London Observatory is located on the west side of Watford Way in Mill Hill. Next to the A1, the location is noisy but the grounds and buildings of the observatory are well maintained.
Waymark Code: WMM88Y
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/09/2014
Views: 2
UCL's website tells us:
Although initially established as a University of London facility (still reflected in the name), the Observatory has been exclusively managed by University College London since 1951. It is a hands-on teaching observatory, part of the Astrophysics Group in UCL's Department of Physics and Astronomy.
We are equipped with five permanently mounted telescopes, two lecture/classrooms, and a specialist astronomy library. We are reasonably easily accessible from the main Bloomsbury campus, ensuring that students have good access to the telescopes.
In addition to observing, students are trained in data-reduction techniques, the practical applications of astrophysical theory, and computational astronomy. This training can take place in the context of an undergraduate degree module, a student project, or, for interested members of the public, as part of our higher-education Certificate in Astronomy
ULO remains active in scientific inquiry, with a strong observational research programme in extrasolar planets. We are in the process of expanding our observing capabilities with the development of unattended (remote & robotic) observing modes, which we hope will culminate in a new large robotic telescope, a project for which funding is currently underway.
We offer guided tours to the public (booking required), and are actively engaged in outreach activities to schools. We are honoured to be affiliated to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers.
The same website also tells us about the telescopes available:
The telescopes at ULO are used primarily for undergraduate training and for research projects with student participation.
The permanently mounted telescopes are:
The Radcliffe 18/24-inch Double Refractor
The Allen 24-inch Reflector
Two Celestron C14 14-inch Reflectors
The Fry 8-inch Refractor
Other telescopes include three moderate-size Meade reflectors, a small portable Meade ETX, an Explorer Scientific 80mm APO refractor (co-mounted on a C14) for wide-field imaging, a Solar View 50mm for observing the Sun in H-alpha, and the Joynson 6-inch refractor (awaiting refurbishment).
With more detail about the telescopes at:
Radcliffe Telescope
Allen Telescope
C14 Telescopes
Fry Telescope
A new telescope is also in the pipeline.
Visit Instructions:Note the time of day of your visit, and your own photo of your favorite part of the observatory. This might be the view from the observatory, picture of your favorite building or favorite exhibit. (Be mindful of flash photography rules!)
If you participated in an observing session, let everyone know what you saw!