Kielder Observatory
Encyclopedia
Kielder Observatory is an astronomical observatory located in Kielder Forest
Kielder Forest
Kielder Forest is a large forestry plantation in Northumberland, England, surrounding the reservoir Kielder Water. It is the largest man-made woodland in Europe...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is situated close to the Scottish border
Anglo–Scottish border
The Anglo-Scottish border is the official border and mark of entry between Scotland and England. It runs for 154 km between the River Tweed on the east coast and the Solway Firth in the west. It is Scotland's only land border...
on Black Fell near James Turrell's
James Turrell
James Turrell is an American artist primarily concerned with light and space. Turrell was a MacArthur Fellow in 1984. He is represented by The Pace Gallery in New York...
Kielder Skyspace
Skyspace
A skyspace is an architectural design in which a room, which is painted in a neutral color has a large hole in its ceiling which opens directly to the sky. The room, whose perimeter has benches, allows observers to look at the sky in such a way as though it were framed...
. The site was carefully chosen by the steering group set up to direct the development of the facility. Headed by astronomer and Observatory director Gary Fildes FRAS, the chosen site was proven to be one of the darkest sky locations in the UK free of light pollution
Light pollution
Light pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is excessive or obtrusive artificial light.The International Dark-Sky Association defines light pollution as:...
.The primary function of the observatory is outreach , thus aims to bring in members of the public to engage in the universe around them.
The Observatory regularly runs "Nightwatch events" designed for members of the public to come along and listen to a talk then observe the night sky,see,www.kielderobservatory.org
The design of the observatory is in keeping with the ethos of the forest, not only in style but also being environmentally friendly. This design is the result of a competition which was won by Charles Barclay Architects, based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. One key requirement of the observatory is that it should be in keeping with the surrounding forest and environmentally friendly, and as such it is solar and wind powered.
The observatory is administered by a group of volunteers who have collectively created the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society. Their aim is to bring astronomy to surrounding community.
The observatory was officially opened on the 25 April 2008 by Sir Arnold Wolfendale
Arnold Wolfendale
Sir Arnold Whittaker Wolfendale FRS is a British astronomer who served as Astronomer Royal from 1991 to 1995.-Early life:...
14th Astronomer Royal
Astronomer Royal
Astronomer Royal is a senior post in the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. There are two officers, the senior being the Astronomer Royal dating from 22 June 1675; the second is the Astronomer Royal for Scotland dating from 1834....
.
The society hosts the Kielder Forest Star Camp
Kielder Forest Star Camp
This is an annual star party held each autumn in Kielder Forest by the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society....
each autumn.