Mills Observatory

Over het museum

Mills Observatory stands on the summit of Balgay Hill in Dundee and is described as Britain's first purpose-built public astronomical observatory. It is named after John Mills (1806 to 1889), a Dundee linen and twine manufacturer and keen amateur astronomer who left money for a public observatory. Dundee Town Council had no precedent for such a bequest, and plans were delayed by the First World War. In the 1930s the project was revived, partly to give work to the building trade, and the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor Sampson, recommended Balgay Hill as the best site for astronomy and for public access.

The City Architect, James MacLellan Brown, worked with Sampson on the sandstone building, which was formally opened on 28 October 1935. Its distinctive 7 m dome was built by Grubb and is made of papier-mache on a steel frame; it is one of only two such domes that survive in the UK. The dome houses a 10-inch Cooke refracting telescope originally built in 1871, which is well suited to viewing the Moon and planets, and a large Dobsonian reflector was added in 2013.

Today the observatory is run by Leisure and Culture Dundee. Entry is free, and visitors can see displays on the night sky and the solar system, a small planetarium and a shop. During the opening season, from autumn to spring, staff help visitors look at the Moon, planets and star clusters on clear evenings, weather permitting.

Hoogtepunten

• Britain's first purpose-built public observatory, opened in 1935
• Historic 7 m papier-mache dome with a 10-inch Cooke refractor
• Telescope viewing on clear evenings, weather permitting
• Planetarium show nights on selected Fridays
• Setting in Balgay Park with views over Dundee

Vaste collectie

• Observatory dome and telescopes – The historic dome and telescopes, with staff-assisted viewing of the Moon, planets and star clusters on clear evenings.
• The night sky – Displays on the solar system, galaxies, space exploration and the history of astronomy.

Opgericht

1935

Beheerder

Leisure & Culture Dundee

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

De toegang is gratis.

Entry to the observatory and use of all equipment is free, and donations are welcome. A small charge applies to planetarium shows.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk: geen informatie
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

Accessible parking is next to the building, and visitors with specific access needs are asked to contact the observatory before their visit. Dogs are not allowed inside the building except assistance dogs.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Doe- en voelstations

Interactive exhibits and craft activities for young space explorers, family activities during the season and planetarium talks suitable for all ages.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The observatory is in Balgay Park on the western side of Dundee, about 10 minutes from the city centre by car.

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel

Visitor toilets are inside the observatory. The shop sells astronomy gifts, books, toys and telescopes.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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