Closehouse Observatory
This place has stayed off the radar pretty well, I first noticed it on Instagram a few months ago and assumed it would have been flavour of the month, like a similar observatory in Kent was a few years back, but this one never really took off. Me and @dais stopped in on the way back from a holiday up in Northumberland as it's not much of a deviation, and it's one I've always wanted to see. Especially since @Mikeymutt brilliant report on the site just before Christmas.
It was a very relaxed explore. We spent a good hour here, it's quite difficult to get shots in the domes, and I had to go and re photograph it as I realised the telescope in the far building actually moves, hence it'll be in different positions across the images. Handy though, because you could set it up for whatever shot you wanted.
In the far end dome sits a 24 inch Newtonian reflector, it is one of the largest telescopes in the country. This particular telescope was used by T.H.E.C Espin to research red stars, double stars and other groundbreaking observations which wouldn't have been possible without a telescope of this size. He used it until his death in 1934 when it was taken over by William Milburn until 1939.
After a period of disuse, the telescope was restored in the 1970s by David Sinden, once the chief optician at Grubbs Parsons, a manufacturer of telescopes based in Newcastle. Once it had been restored by David Sinden, it was presented to the University of Newcastle in 1971 and was used for practical work by students studying astronomy and astrophysics. There were originally two small telescopes fitted in the smaller domes, but they have since been removed.
There is currently a petition active to save the historically important telescope, but as always, time will tell if any action is taken.
Starting off with the view that is seen when you walk up to the domes
Starting off in the most interesting dome with the telescope in situ
David Sinden with the large reflector
Moving onto the middle dome. I really liked the open roof, made for some nice images
And finally onto the smallest dome, the darkest and lacking features, but it did have a nice roof and sticker inside
Thanks for reading!
This place has stayed off the radar pretty well, I first noticed it on Instagram a few months ago and assumed it would have been flavour of the month, like a similar observatory in Kent was a few years back, but this one never really took off. Me and @dais stopped in on the way back from a holiday up in Northumberland as it's not much of a deviation, and it's one I've always wanted to see. Especially since @Mikeymutt brilliant report on the site just before Christmas.
It was a very relaxed explore. We spent a good hour here, it's quite difficult to get shots in the domes, and I had to go and re photograph it as I realised the telescope in the far building actually moves, hence it'll be in different positions across the images. Handy though, because you could set it up for whatever shot you wanted.
In the far end dome sits a 24 inch Newtonian reflector, it is one of the largest telescopes in the country. This particular telescope was used by T.H.E.C Espin to research red stars, double stars and other groundbreaking observations which wouldn't have been possible without a telescope of this size. He used it until his death in 1934 when it was taken over by William Milburn until 1939.
After a period of disuse, the telescope was restored in the 1970s by David Sinden, once the chief optician at Grubbs Parsons, a manufacturer of telescopes based in Newcastle. Once it had been restored by David Sinden, it was presented to the University of Newcastle in 1971 and was used for practical work by students studying astronomy and astrophysics. There were originally two small telescopes fitted in the smaller domes, but they have since been removed.
There is currently a petition active to save the historically important telescope, but as always, time will tell if any action is taken.
Starting off with the view that is seen when you walk up to the domes
Starting off in the most interesting dome with the telescope in situ
David Sinden with the large reflector
Moving onto the middle dome. I really liked the open roof, made for some nice images
And finally onto the smallest dome, the darkest and lacking features, but it did have a nice roof and sticker inside
Thanks for reading!
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