Welcome to Airdrie Public Observatory's Website

 

OBSERVATORY REFURBISHMENT - THE WORK IS COMPLETE AND THE OBSERVATORY HAS BEEN RE-OPENED

 

The 6" Cooke refractor takes pride of place in the Public Observatory above Airdrie Library.
During 2009/2010, it was dismantled and removed from site for an overhaul and extensive refurbishment while works were carried out on a new Observatory dome & Library Re-Roofing project as well as the fabric of the building itself.
The Observatory works are now fully complete and the Observatory was formerly re-opened on 25 March 2010. A dedicated page will appear here soon. click here for details.
TIMELINE:
26/05/09 - Works started this week on the Library Roof.
31/08/09 - Wheel mechanism chosen for dome
31/08/09 - New dome currently being manufactured and will be installed in the next 3-4 weeks
16/09/09 - Old dome removed. Site being prepared for new dome. Click here for pictures and latest information.
20/09/09 - New dome construction pictures added. Click here.
23/09/09 - New dome expected to arrive on site.
06/10/09 - The new dome arrived on site and was fixed into position today. Click here for the days pictures
22/10/09 - The Cooke 6" refractor has been installed back in the observatory today. It awaits the iron plinth to be extended whereupon it will be taken back down before mounting on the new plinth and astronomically aligned. Watch here for further information.
23/10/09 - Members of A.A.A had their first visit to the observatory tonight in over 8 months to view the upgrade. They tested the new manual dome rotation and opening system for the first time and were very inpressed.

17/11/09 - Awaiting clear night to check final plinth height.
04/01/10 - Alignment to be completed over the next week and telescope readied for use.
07/02/10 - New weights cage now in the observatory. Works to be complete by 14/02/10 - Work to Observatory complete.
10/03/10 - The students from Glasgow Metropolitan College began work on a new mural that will cover the walls in the stairwell leading up to the observatory. Work in progress looks excellent. A dedicated page to the mural will appear after the works have been completed.
25/03/10 - Official Observatory Re-Opening at 6:30pm. A dedicated page will appear here soon

MEDIA AND REPORTED NEWS ARTICLES

Click here for BBC Webpage article on Observatory (06/10/09)
ExFn.com news (06/10/09)

Click here for Airdrie advertiser article (30/09/09)
Click here for Airdrie Advertiser article (08/07/09)

Stargazers to boldly go their own way (03/06/09)
Space-age dome gets a lift (08/10/09)
Stargazers' delight at Airdrie Observatory upgrade (12/03/09)
Click here for Evening Times article (23/10/08)
Meghan Bain's Letter from Sir Patrick Moore (31/07/09)
Sean Blair's Letter from Sir Patrick Moore (27/01/10)
Observatory Re-Opening Letter from Sir Patrick Moore - 04/03/10

NOW ON SALE
CHARLIE DUKE
(APOLLO 16 MOONWALKER TICKETS)

 

During April 1972, Charlie Duke became only the tenth man to walk on the moon (of which there have only been twelve in all of human history).
Charlie will be coming to Glasgow this September and this is your once in a lifetime opportunity to meet an Apollo Moonwalker in person. Details are as follows:

Thursday 9th September 2010 - Gala Dinner at Marriot Hotel - Tickets £50.

Friday 10th September 2010 - Tickets available for public lecture at Glasgow Caledonian University - £30

CLICK HERE TO GO TO BOOKING WEBSITE

AIRDRIE ACADEMY SPACE-CLUB WEBPAGE

 

A.A.A is proud to be linked with Airdrie Academy Spaceclub. A Webpage linked to the activities of the pupils will soon be available.

NEW CURATOR APPOINTED

Airdrie Astronomical Association are pleased to announce that Mr Arthur Bannister has been offered and accepted the post of Second Honorary Curator to Airdrie Public Observatory. Arthur joins Paul Clark (curator since 2003) in this post which dates back to 1896.

WEEKLY MEETINGS

 

Airdrie Astronomical Association meet every Friday between 7:30pm and 9:30pm at Airdrie Arts Centre, Anderson Street, Airdrie for a series of lecture, discussions, videos, observing, etc. If interested, please contact the observatory curators at paul@airdrieobservatory.com

SCHOOL ROCKET COMPETITION (03/06/09)

 

Airdrie Astronomical Association and Airdrie & District Round Table are happy to announce that the third annual North Lanarkshire Inter School Rocket Competition took place at Airdrie Academy on 3rd June 2009. The competing schools that took part in this year's competition were:

Golfhill Primary (Airdrie), Clarkston Primary (Airdrie), St Margaret of Scotland (Cumbernauld) and Woodlands (Cumbernauld). The trophy has been won by newcomers Clarkston Primary, With St Margaret of Scotland runners up, Golfhill in third place and Woodlands in fourth place. The standatd of the pupils rockets this year was excellent and the competition was very close. Click here for pictures of the event and the results.

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