What telescope and observatory does Breckland Astronomical Society have?

Updated

Breckland Astronomical Society has its own observatory at the corner of the recreation ground in Great Ellingham, Norfolk, and that observatory is equipped with a computer-controlled 20-inch reflecting telescope. The site is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site. If you want to look through that telescope rather than just read about it, the practical route is a Public Observing Night, held at the observatory on the last Friday of the month when it is dark enough.

The observatory and its telescope

  • Location: the corner of the recreation ground in Great Ellingham. The society gives the observatory address as 5 Watton Rd, Great Ellingham, Attleborough NR17 1HZ, UK.
  • Telescope: a computer-controlled 20-inch reflecting telescope. The "computer-controlled" part means the mount can be driven to point at and track objects, which is what makes a large instrument like this practical to use with visitors.
  • Site status: a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site. This is a recognised dark-sky location, which matters because a 20-inch telescope only shows its full potential where light pollution is low.

A 20-inch reflector is a large amateur instrument — the aperture is what gathers light, so it performs well on faint objects such as galaxies, nebulae and globular clusters, and can show fine detail on the Moon and planets when the seeing is good.

How to actually use it

The observatory is not described as open for drop-in use at any time. The public route in is a Public Observing Night:

  • Held at the observatory on the last Friday of the month, when it is dark enough.
  • Usually excludes May, June and July, because the nights are not dark enough at that time of year.
  • Free to all, though donations are welcomed.
  • No schedule — arrive when you wish and leave when you are tired, even though the event is planned to run for a few hours.

The society's next listed Public Observing Night was Friday 25 September, 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm, at the observatory address above.

If you want to visit

  1. Check the society's online calendar or app for the next Public Observing Night, since dates depend on darkness and are not held in midsummer.
  2. Go to the observatory at 5 Watton Rd, Great Ellingham, Attleborough NR17 1HZ — it sits at the corner of the recreation ground.
  3. Arrive and leave whenever suits you; there is no booking and no fixed programme.
  4. Bring warm clothing. Observing sessions run late into the evening and you will be standing around in the dark.

If the weather or the season rules out observing, the society's monthly meetings are the alternative: held on the second Friday of every month at Great Ellingham Recreation Centre, doors 7:15 pm for a 7:30 pm start, open to members and non-members with no need to book. There is a £3.00 entrance fee, free for under-18s. These are indoor sessions, usually with a speaker, so they do not give you access to the telescope.