Kielder Observatory is one of the most remarkable places to visit in the whole of the UK, a public astronomical observatory which is second to none. Here you'll find "infinite inspiration" and wonders you could never have imagined under some of the darkest skies in the world.
Kielder Observatory is one of the most inspiring places to visit in the UK—a public astronomical observatory and educational charity where unforgettable memories are made beneath the stars.
Experience wonders beyond imagination against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Europe’s largest Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Park. Whether you’re a first-time stargazer or a seasoned astronomer, our dedicated team promises moments that last a lifetime.
Looking to visit as soon as possible? Check out our events with last minute availability below.
Dark matter, dark energy, black holes, unlocking the mysteries of the universe's dark secrets, this event's topic of conversation will be looking at some of the questions which are still yet to develop answers. We'll be looking into the science that underpins these unknown phenomena, so be prepared to have your mind blown! What are the missing ingredients we need to create our universe, why is it expanding, why do black holes exist and where do they lead? With new breakthrough technology on the horizon, such as DESI (Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument), ELT (Extremely Large Telescope - Chile), LSST (Large Synoptic Survey Telescope), amongst other mind-boggling engineering, we creep ever closer to uncovering the answers. The last couple of years have uncovered some incredible feats such as, imaging a black hole at the centre of a galaxy and detecting gravitational waves. During the event you will take a tour of the observatory with stargazing as the priority when the weather permits. During your tour you will discover light, its uses throughout the universe and how we capture it with our large aperture telescopes. You will also get hands on with rocks from the origins of our solar system and worlds beyond our own and we will introduce you to some techniques in how to navigate the night sky. In the summer months we can still observe despite the lighter evenings, including the moon, brighter planets, binary star systems, beautiful star clusters and breathtaking noctilucent clouds. During the evening you will be treated to a hot drink of either tea, coffee or our famous hot chocolate as well as having the opportunity of supporting our charity further by taking home a memento of your visit to the observatory from our gift shop Although star-gazing is the priority on all our events, our aim is to deliver a fantastic experience whatever the weather with the help of our team of experienced and passionate astronomers. ...
Tickets
From £28.50 per person
Next available event
Tuesday 13th May
Wherever we are in the world, when we gaze up at our night sky we can see that the universe is filled with tiny little lights of varying brightness from horizon to horizon Here at the Kielder Observatory, under the Gold Tier Dark Sky Park of Northumberland and Kielder Water, stargazing on a clear night in midwinter with no moon present in the sky, we can see more than 3,000 stars with just the naked eye. But what are these things we call stars and what is their purpose? We'll take you through the life cycle of a star, from how they're formed to nuclear fusion and even what happens when a star dies. They are integral to our universe and we'll show you exactly how. Taking you on a journey around our unique observatory, we will discover ways in which we view our universe, uncover the mysteries of light and how it has helped shape our understanding of the universe. On clear nights we will focus on using our high-powered, large aperture robotic telescopes housed inside their turrets as well as our smaller manual telescopes under a blanket of stars on the observation deck. Our team of expert astronomers will be on hand to navigate you around the night sky to objects of interest such as the Moon, Double Stars, Clusters, Planets, Galaxies and Nebulae depending on the lunar calendar. On nights when observation isn't possible, we will look at the ways ancient astronomers navigated and developed meaning behind what they saw in the heavens. We will take you on a virtual tour of our skies, learning constellations and what they mean to us as observers. You will also be able to explore our collection of fragments of rock fallen to earth, frozen in time from the very origins of our solar system. Even in the summer months we can still observe despite the lighter evenings, including the Moon, brighter planets, binary star systems, beautiful star clusters and the breathtaking noctilucent clouds During the evening you will be treated to a hot drink of either tea, coffee or our famous hot chocolate as well as having the opportunity of supporting our charity further by taking home a memento of your visit to the observatory from our gift shop Whatever the weather, our team of experienced and passionate astronomers will deliver a unique experience...
Tickets
From £28.50 per person
Next available event
Thursday 15th May
The Universe. Unimaginably large, old and complex. How did it all begin? How long has it been around? When will it end? From our earthly perspective, humans have sought for solutions to the very beginnings of it all, the stars and bodies within it and ultimately how the universe will end. Join us on a night where we will journey through space and time, out into the cosmos to unlock some of the mysteries our universe has to offer. From our solar system to the large-scale structure of the universe and on to the Big Bang, we will explore our current perceptions of it and the important discoveries made along the way. This cosmic voyage gives an excellent understanding of the physical universe as a whole and address what it means to exist within it, in a way which is interesting and accessible to all. During the evening we will guide you through the observatory, introduce you to the large aperture telescopes and give you guidance on how to use them. If the skies are clear we will view objects in our own galaxy, some of which are beyond the realms of what the naked eye can see and which have shaped our understanding of the universe! You will also be treated to a hot drink of either tea, coffee or our famous hot chocolate as well as having the opportunity to support our charity further by taking home a memento of your visit to the observatory from our gift shop In the summer months we lose the darkness so we turn our attention to the brighter objects that are visible, such as craters on the moon, star clusters and atmospheric phenomena like night shining clouds, known as noctilucent clouds… Although star-gazing is the priority on all our events, our aim is to deliver a fantastic experience whatever the weather with the help of our team of experienced and passionate astronomers....
Tickets
From £35.00 per person
Next available event
Friday 16th May
Our reviews are out of this world...
Kielder Observatory is a charity that exists to inspire, enthuse and educate the public about the wonders of the universe. Donating to us will help us reach more people and support their interest in astronomy. Your gift will help fund our work in schools, in the arts, our citizen science projects, getting out and about in the community and, of course, the work we do at the Observatory itself.
Lots of exciting things are happening at Kielder Observatory, use this page to browse the latest stories.
When you look up at the night sky, it's easy to wonder: how do we actually know how faraway the...
Read Time
5 minutes
As the summer nights grow shorter and lighter, May still has plenty to offer skywatchers. Explore, with our astronomer Ishbel,...
Read Time
4 minutes
Is anybody else out there? In this month's Ask An Astronomer, Science communicator and Astronomer James Claxton looks at one...
Read Time
10 minutes
Purchase some of the incredible photographs taken from Kielder Observatory.
This picture was taken in the late Autumn of 2014, taken through the telescope with a DSLR camera....
£25.00
The lunar eclipse on 21st January 2019 was an unforgettable sight. The whole observatory team stayed up until 6am to capture images of this amazing cosmic coincidence. A lunar eclipse is when the Earth is perfectly lined up in between the Sun and Moon. Earth’s shadow sweeps across the lunar surfaces causing the Moon to turn blood red....
£25.00
This was taken on a moonlit night to keep the observatory illuminated, the image is created by stacking a number of shots taken over a long period of time. This was shot using a 14mm lens, with 25 second exposures for 30 minutes. We can see how the stars appear to trail around one central point, our North Star (Polaris), as the Earth spins on its axis and Polaris stays still in its position directly above the North Pole....
£25.00
The clearest of skies allow for this amazing 'star trails' image, the rotating earth allows for these beautiful shapes and patterns to develop. Our eyes can never see the passage of time like this but the camera can....
£25.00
Our workshops and talks are the perfect educational visit to broaden your knowledge!
Our Relaxed Astronomy events are designed specifically for those that may need a calmer and more flexible environment in which to learn. These events will inspire you in a safe, relaxed and unrestricted environment with quieter shows, smaller groups (max of 20 guests), safe clapping and a choice on how you choose to experience the wonders of the universe. Our red lighting will always remain on as you move around the building, brighter interior white lighting may be used in some of the rooms, our trained staff will be on hand to guide you around every aspect of your visit. The event is much less structured than our other events. There will be a short introduction to the Observatory (15 mins), after which you will get to visit our observation turrets. If weather permits and we can observe, our Astronomers will invite you to look through one of our large aperture telescopes. You will also get to discover other interactive sessions which you can dip in and out of, such as; virtual navigation of the Night Sky with handheld tablets, discover pieces of our solar system in a hands-on meteorite activity. All stations will be set up around the observatory and you will be free to roam around, get involved with the activities as you like and absorb it all in your own way. A breakout space will be provided away from activities if required. Our Observatory is designed to make your experience, an engaging, educational time, so please do feel free to ask questions and take part in as much as you can to maximise your visit. We continue to take into account the impact of Covid-19 for our visitors and work hard to ensure you feel comfortable and safe during your event. At times our astronomers may talk to the group as a whole, it’s important that you feel comfortable throughout our event so talking and movement is welcome throughout, you’re never required to sit in silence for a long period of time. Doors will open 20 mins before the beginning of the event, so you are welcome to enter and familiarise yourself with the area prior to the start time. We hope these events will be helpful to those with sensory sensitivity....
Tickets
From £35.00 per person
Next available event
Monday 2nd June
Our Relaxed Astronomy events are designed specifically for those that may need a calmer and more flexible environment in which to learn. These events will inspire you in a safe, relaxed and unrestricted environment with quieter shows, smaller groups (max of 20 guests), safe clapping and a choice on how you choose to experience the wonders of the universe. Our red lighting will always remain on as you move around the building, brighter interior white lighting may be used in some of the rooms, our trained staff will be on hand to guide you around every aspect of your visit. The event is much less structured than our other events. There will be a short introduction to the Observatory (15 mins), after which you will get to visit our observation turrets. If weather permits and we can observe, our Astronomers will invite you to look through one of our large aperture telescopes. You will also get to discover other interactive sessions which you can dip in and out of, such as; virtual navigation of the Night Sky with handheld tablets, discover pieces of our solar system in a hands-on meteorite activity. All stations will be set up around the observatory and you will be free to roam around, get involved with the activities as you like and absorb it all in your own way. A breakout space will be provided away from activities if required. Our Observatory is designed to make your experience, an engaging, educational time, so please do feel free to ask questions and take part in as much as you can to maximise your visit. We continue to take into account the impact of Covid-19 for our visitors and work hard to ensure you feel comfortable and safe during your event. At times our astronomers may talk to the group as a whole, it’s important that you feel comfortable throughout our event so talking and movement is welcome throughout, you’re never required to sit in silence for a long period of time. Doors will open 20 mins before the beginning of the event, so you are welcome to enter and familiarise yourself with the area prior to the start time. We hope these events will be helpful to those with sensory sensitivity....
Tickets
From £35.00 per person
Next available event
Monday 7th July
Private Events
Travel through the cosmos as we bring the wonder of the dark skies to you with our inflatable planetarium. Perfect for a group setting, our astronomers will guide you across the universe with these impressive shows...
Private Events
From meteorites to space exploration, planets to satellites and everything in between, our astronomer-lead workshops are the perfect way to engage with science and astronomy for schools and community groups. With practical hand-on learning, guided by an expert astronomer there is no better way to get to grips with astronomy...
The official monthly podcast from Kielder Observatory. If you've ever wondered what happens when you fall into a black hole, if intelligent life is watching us from other galaxies, or how the North East is at the forefront of the British Space programme, then you can find out more in this series!
Each month we also update you on the things to look out for in the night.
