Norman Lockyer Observatory

Norman Lockyer Observatory sits about a mile east of Sidmouth in East Devon, England, a public-access observatory with historical telescopes and a planetarium open to visitors.

About Norman Lockyer Observatory

It houses a number of historical optical telescopes, including the Lockyer Telescope, and today it operates as a combined observatory, planetarium and technology centre run by the Norman Lockyer Observatory Society (NLOS).

History

The site was founded in 1912 by Sir Joseph Norman Lockyer, the Victorian astronomer who discovered helium in the Sun's corona in 1868 and co-founded the journal Nature in 1869. It was originally called the Hill Observatory and was renamed in his honour after his death in 1920. East Devon District Council has owned the site since 1984 and has leased it to NLOS since 1995. A planetarium seating 60 was added in 1996, and a 100-seat convention centre followed in 2005.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits just outside Sidmouth on the East Devon coast in South West England, an easy trip from the town for visitors already exploring the Jurassic Coast.

Visiting Norman Lockyer Observatory

As a volunteer-run, public-access observatory, it regularly opens its doors to visitors for telescope viewing and planetarium shows. Check the observatory's own website for current opening times and event listings before travelling.

See your named star from here

Because every star named through Star Register comes with precise coordinates, a public observatory like this one — with real telescopes and volunteers who know how to use them — is an ideal place to try to spot one. Explore the packages at /#packages or browse the catalogue of named stars.