Observatory 

The opening of the Piazzi Smyth Observatory in October 2000 has provided an important resource in the teaching and public understanding of Astronomy.

Sited on the Bedford School estate, the Observatory and Resource Centre are operated by the School’s Astronomer in conjunction with members of the Bedford Astronomical Society. The facilities are available for use by Schools and interested groups.

The Observatory is named in honour of Charles Piazzi Smyth O.B. who was Astronomer Royal for Scotland for many years and a pioneer of high altitude observing. The project has been funded by major grants from The Bedford School Trust, The Harpur Trust and The Wolfson Foundation, along with other generous donations from local businesses and Old Boys.

						Image courtesy of Peter Truscott

The main 5m dome houses a Meade LX 200 16" computer controlled telescope which gives stunning views of the Moon, Planets and Deep Sky Objects.  Several portable telescopes ranging from 6" to 13" diameter are also used from the outside observation deck.

The Wolfson Planetarium

The adjacent Wolfson Planetarium, opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in May 2002, houses a 4 metre dome and star projector.   The Planetarium acts as a valuable resource room and is available for use by schools and community groups for meetings, slide shows and projected views of the night sky.

Interested in arranging a visit to the Observatory?

If you wish to arrange a visit to the observatory please read our ‘Guide for Observatory Visits’ and make contact with the Head of Astronomy Mr Linton Guise via email : Observatory@bedfordschool.org.uk

Astronomy Courses

The school also runs a series of short courses in Astronomy at the Observatory and Planetarium.  Find out more>>

Click here to view a map of the town.  The gate for the Observatory is in Pemberley Avenue, next to Number 1 on this Map.

Click here for directions to the School.  For the Observatory, please use postcode MK40 2LD for Satellite Navigation systems.

 

Photo Galleries

Construction of the Observatory

Images captured by the telescope

  

Recommended links

Details of the Bedford Astronomical Society, including links to the observatory and other useful astronomical sites can be found at: www.Bedsastro.org.uk

Space Weather

Satellite predictions & Night Sky Maps for Bedford

Weather Forecast : a direct link to the BBC online 5 day weather forecast for Bedford

SOHO Solar Observatory

Big Bear Solar Observatory

The NASA Library with images from the Hubble Space telescope

The Space Telescope Science Institute's images

Monthly night sky notes can be found by using this link to the Jodrell Bank Observatory

Stellarium, free planetarium software for you to download on to your home computer.  This excellent piece of software will allow you to view the night sky at any time and from any location on Earth. Objects can be magnified to include images from Hubble and other telescopes.