Spaceguard Centre
Image: Wikimedia Commons
The Spaceguard Centre is a dedicated near-Earth object observatory on Llan-wen Hill near Knighton, in the Welsh Marches of mid-Wales.
About the Spaceguard Centre
Founded in January 1997 by Jonathan R. Tate, the centre serves as the UK's National Near Earth Object Information Centre. It operates independently, without affiliation to any government body, and was officially opened in 2001 by the broadcaster and astronomer Sir Patrick Moore.
Telescopes & research
The centre's work centres on detecting and monitoring near-Earth objects (NEOs), asteroids and comets whose orbits bring them close to, or potentially on a collision course with, Earth. Its hilltop position on Llan-wen Hill gives it a clear 360-degree horizon, useful for tracking objects across the whole sky.
Location & getting there
The Spaceguard Centre sits on high ground near Knighton, on the England-Wales border in Powys, surrounded by the quiet hills of mid-Wales, a setting that keeps light pollution low and horizons open in every direction.
Visiting the Spaceguard Centre
Unlike many research stations, the Spaceguard Centre welcomes public visitors and runs educational tours and events focused on asteroid and comet science. Check the centre's official website for current opening times, tour bookings, and ticket prices before travelling.
See your named star from here
The Spaceguard Centre's work is all about precise sky coordinates, which is also exactly what defines a star named through Star Register. Give a named star of your own with our star packages, or browse the catalogue of stars already named.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check the official website and Google Maps for current times before you travel.