Royal Observatory Edinburgh

Edinburgh

In Person

As well as being an historic site, The Royal Observatory Edinburgh is a working observatory which houses nearly 140 staff and students. It encompasses two organisations: The UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) which includes the Higgs Centre for Innovation and the Institute for Astronomy (IfA). The UK ATC is part of UK Research and Innovation, and the IfA is part of the University of Edinburgh.

Engineers at the UK ATC design extremely sensitive cameras and other instruments for many of the world’s best telescopes and for the big telescopes of the future. They are also finding innovative ways of using this technological expertise in fields outside of astronomy, including earth observation and medicine.

The research of scientists at the IfA tackles many of the big questions in astronomy, including the search for life-bearing planets and studying the oldest and most distant objects in our universe.

Open from 10am to 5pm (last entry to site at 3.45pm). Online booking via this link: http://bit.ly/ROE_Events 

Activities

Activities across the weekend include:

• Speak with Astronomers
• Talk to Engineers
• Astronomy crafts
• Hear from exciting start-up companies
• Handle meteorites
• Telescope dome tours

Facilities

• WC
• Refreshments
• Events For Children
• Hearing Loop
• Limited Access
• Disabled Access
• Disabled WC
• Parking

Additional Access Information

Wheelchair accessible WC - We have two wheelchair accessible toilets on the site, they are not in every building
Wheelchair accessible building - Some buildings are wheelchair accessible but many of the historic areas are not and the site is steeply sloped.
Limited wheelchair access - Some of our buildings have step-free access but as an old site there is limited or no access to some areas.
Not an accessible building - Some buildings or parts of buildings are not accessible. The telescope dome is only accessible by a spiral staircase.
Parking - Small number of accessible parking spaces. Very limited parking, recommend using public transport where possible.
Refreshments - Our canteen will be serving cold and hot drinks and food throughout the day.
Child events - Activities throughout the site will be suitable for children though some areas may have recommended minimum ages.

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