Partial Solar Eclipse - Saturday 29th March
IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR SAFE VIEWING OF A PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE
Important Advice Event Information
Whether you are joining us at Mills Observatory or viewing the eclipse elsewhere, we advise the following steps to ensure a safe viewing experience;
Never look directly at the Sun either with your eyes or through an unsupervised optical instrument - such as glasses, sunglasses, binoculars, smoked glass and telescopes. Even during a partial eclipse, when only a very small part of the sun is visible, viewing it without proper eye protection risks permanent eye damage or blindness.
If using eclipse glasses, follow these instructions:
- Check the lenses for cracks and abrasions before each use
- Facing away from the Sun, put on your eclipse glasses before turning to look at the Sun
- Use the glasses for no more than three continuous minutes at a time
- If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on and put the eclipse glasses on over them
- After looking at the Sun, turn away and remove your glasses — do not remove them while looking at the Sun
Mills Observatory
We are delighted to welcome you back to Mills Observatory for the 2024 / 2025 season.
The Observatory will be open six nights a week. Mills is Britain’s first purpose-built public observatory, enjoying a magnificent woodland setting on the summit of Balgay Hill. It is free to enter and there is no need to book. Join us to watch stars and planets through our telescopes or admire the scenery with some spectacular treetop vistas across the silvery Tay.
With fascinating space exploration and astronomical displays, planetarium shows and a fully computerised telescope that can detect 30,000 objects in the sky, there’s so much to see, do and learn. Night sky viewing is available when the clouds stay away.
The Mills Observatory is open Monday to Friday: 4pm – 10pm and Saturday 6.30pm to 10pm. It is closed on Sunday but check back for a series of lectures and events throughout the season.
Please be aware that the Observatory is not accessible for all as it is a heritage building. There are narrow stairs – please call us on 01382 435967 if you’d like more details.
What can you expect?
Mills Observatory is open over the Winter Season which runs from 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025. It is closed during other months of the year.
Entry is free and our friendly staff will be on hand to help and advise.
Winter Programme
Our planetarium shows offer participants the chance to join a member of the Mills Observatory team as we take you on a tour of the night sky in the Observatory’s Planetarium Room. Here you will learn about constellations, asteroids, galaxies and much more. The Planetarium Show will be followed by an opportunity to see through the Observatory’s telescopes (weather dependant). These shows are suitable for adults and children aged 6 years and over. Planetarium Shows will run at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm on the following dates:
Please Note: all planetarium shows up to and including Friday 21st March 2025 are currently fully booked. For those looking to attend, we advise telephoning Mills Observatory on the day of the show to enquire as to whether any cancellations have occurred.
Cost
Adults - £3.00, Children £1.50
Capacity - 25 Visitors
Cancellation - If you cannot make a show you have booked please call to let us know so that we can offer these spaces to others
This winter promises to be the best in nearly a decade for planetary observation, and we're excited to announce a series of three talks focused on three prominent planets in our solar system: Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars.
Saturn's rings will be perfectly aligned this year, offering an exceptional opportunity to observe intricate details of the planet's surface. Jupiter will reach opposition on December 7th, marking the ideal time for telescope viewing. And with Mars only coming into view every two years, its opposition on January 16, 2025, will provide a rare chance for observation.
Our talks will cover the history of planetary observations, notable past missions, breathtaking photography, and what can be seen through telescopes. Each session will take place at 7:30 PM on the specified dates and will be followed by stargazing in the observatory dome, weather permitting.
- Friday 31st January 2025
Booking Essential. Bookings can be made via telephone only. Please call 01382 435967 during the Observatory’s openings hours to book a space.
Cost
Adults - £3.00, Children £1.50
Capacity - 25 Visitors
Cancellation - If you cannot make a show you have booked please call to let us know so that we can offer these spaces to others
Frequently asked questions
We have multiple telescopes located within the dome of the observatory, which a member of staff will help you operate to view the night sky. Please Note – night sky viewing is weather dependant, we need a dry evening with clear skies to open our dome and use the telescopes. As a general rule of thumb – if you can see the stars from where you are, you will get a better view through our telescopes – so come and see us!
Entry to the observatory and the use of all equipment is free, but we do gladly accept donations. Donations boxes are located throughout the building, and a member of staff can direct you to one if required.
There is a small car park at the entrance to the Observatory, which includes two accessible parking spaces.
Shop @ Mills Observatory
The Observatory’s Shop offers unique gifts for space and astronomy fans, including NASA branded goods, stargazing guides, space themed books and toys for little astronauts.
Telescopes for sale at Mills Observatory
We have a fantastic range of telescopes for all ages at amazing prices. So if you're interested in stargazing yourself or looking for a gift for a budding astronomer, come in and take a look. Our staff are on-hand to offer advice and help you find the right model for you.
Location
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