HSS Observatory

Opening season: Normally Oct - Mid-April, but we do vary this from year to year depending on the position & visibility of the bright planets. We will also occasionally open 'out of season' to cover such events as eclipses, transits and the unexpected arrival of bright comets.

Opening times: 8-10pm Friday and Saturday nights. 11am-1pm Sunday.

Exceptions: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day. We usually close on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day as well, but not this year! As 2010 is the centenary of the founding of the Observatory, we plan to be open on Dec. 31st and on January 1st 2010 BUT ONLY IF THE SKY IS CLEAR. We are also planning a grand celebration on Sunday April 25th 2010 which will be open to members of the Society from 12:30 pm and then to visitors from 3:00pm onwards. Keep an eye on the yellow alert panel for more details nearer the time.

Observatory status: CLOSED.

Latitude: 51° 33.2' N. Longitude: 0^h 10.5^m W. Altitude: 175m.

The observatory is closed during the Summer, because during this time, the sky does not really get dark and we need time to carry out cleaning and repairs, but we may open on special occasions if some spectacular astronomical event occurs. Click here for more information about special events. Clear skies permitting of course.

Oh, you DO NOT NEED TO BOOK your place at the observatory, just come up but remember: the observatory will only be open if THE SKY IS CLEAR

This is a small observatory which is one of the few, if not the only, observatory in London to provide for public viewing of the night sky. The observatory is one of the most visible ways the HSS promotes science providing views of the Moon, planets and other objects of interest on Friday and Saturday evenings. A more detailed listing can be found along this link.

Location

The observatory can be found at Lower Terrace, near Whitestone Pond. Click on the map for a larger view. The tube is one travel option. Take the Edgware branch of the Northern line to Hampstead station (zone 2). From here you'll have a short walk up the hill along Heath Street to the observatory. If you're a bus-person the 210 and 268 have stops near to the observatory. The 268 stops on Heath Street and the 210 on Spaniards Road. And for the vehicularly-enabled (if you have a car) there is parking available on Hampstead Grove and Lower Terrace. N.B. You can park in any of the 'residents' parking bays after 8:00 p.m. but do look and take note of the parking restrictions sign-posts, as enforcement in Hampstead can only be described as 'draconian'.

Top

Telescopes

The main instrument at the observatory is a fabulous piece of kit: a 6" Cooke refracting telescope which dates back to the turn of the 20th century. Despite being so old it delivers superb views of London's night sky. It is housed under a purpose-built rotating dome and mounted on a concrete pier. So it really looks like you'd expect. We also have a smaller portable 6", the 'Wildey' named after our former astronomical secretary Henry Wildey, who made it and also bequeathed funds to the society. In addition to these instruments, members sometimes bring up their own telescopes and binoculars.

If you are considering purchasing your own telescope, remember, that our experienced telescope makers and users will be on hand to offer advice and can often point you in the right direction to save time and money. if you would like to try building your own telescope, then we can even help with this. The Society is affiliated to C.A.T.S - the Camden Amateur Telescope Society. C.A.T.S. holds fortnightly meetings at the Highgate Newtown Community Centre where you can learn how to grind your own telescope mirrors and make your own instrument from scratch. There are few more fulfilling persuits than observing the wonders of the Universe with an instrument that you have made yourself. For further details contact our Assistant Astronomical Secretary Simon Lang, Telephone: 020 7435 9085 or the organizer, Terry Pearce via e-mail: enquiries@scientificmirrors.co.uk

Top

Weather

One point which can not be over stressed. If it is raining, cloudy, or blowing a gale, the observatory will be closed. Common sense dictates that if the sky is not clear then there's no point standing about looking at a dull orange glow getting cold and wet. Bar heaters and fires have the same basic hue and will be superior companions on such nights. If you want a high-tech solution then following this link will open a new window to an external site.

Top