Bristol observatory

[Nick82]

Does anyone know if there is one?

If not i know there is one in sidmouth, there is one in brIstol but it actually looks down on the Avon gorge

[whooshbang]

Bristol Astronomical Society use the Cyril Swindin telescope in Failand Observatory.

The observatory that overlooks Avon Gorge is an old Mill and i don't think a telescope has been housed there.

[Planetesimal]

Bristol Astronomical Society use the Cyril Swindin telescope in Failand Observatory.

The observatory that overlooks Avon Gorge is an old Mill and i don't think a telescope has been housed there.

There's a camera obscura in it, but no 'scope...

[Nick82]

Sweet, just emailed them as they have an open day/night on the 15th

[John]

I must make an effort to get to one of those too - I'm based in Portishead so not far from Failand.

[JamesM]

The Failand site has not just one but in fact two observatories. One of which contains a 12" truss reflector on an equatorial motorised mount (no Goto!) housed in 12' dome which can host a number of observers but if I'm honest, the mirror could do with a bit of a re-silver. I remember shining a bright torch through the back of this mirror once and instantly turned the inside of the doom roof into an impromptu planetarium! The other observatory is more of a "roll on- roll off" type of setup but which contains an 18" dob which is certainly worth a visit to look through. On one occasion when I observed with it whilst looking at M42, I could definitely detect colour (a faint green) in the nebulosity. One of the unfortunate difficulties of the Failand site is that in recent years the onset of light pollution in surrounding areas and businesses has meant that it's skies are not as useful as they once were for observing DSO's unless particularly bright like Orions's. If your local certainly its certainly worth a visit, especially to sample the views of the 18".

James

[t1bbbst3r]

Theres this link found: http://www.adriandening.com/Stars%20Over%20Somerset/Observatory.htm

Dont know if you can arrange for a particular viewing or anything, my brother went there for a star party once, but it might be worth asking about..........