University of Reading Atmospheric Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
On the Whiteknights Campus in Reading, Berkshire, the University of Reading runs an atmospheric observatory that has been logging the English weather for well over a century.
About University of Reading Atmospheric Observatory
The observatory is part of the university's Department of Meteorology and continuously records automatic meteorological observations, which are made available online.
History
Weather recording at the university traces back to 1901, when the University College of Reading began keeping records as a rainfall station at its former London Road campus, with a near-complete daily record from January 1908. The current Whiteknights site has been a dedicated centre for atmospheric research since 1970.
Location & getting there
The observatory sits on the university's Whiteknights Campus in Reading, Berkshire, in southern England, easily reached from the town centre.
Visiting University of Reading Atmospheric Observatory
As a working research and teaching facility, it isn't set up as a general tourist attraction; check with the Department of Meteorology or the university's website before planning a visit.
See your named star from here
This site is dedicated to watching the atmosphere rather than the stars, but Reading's skies are still yours to explore. Once you've named a star with Star Register, use our catalogue to find its coordinates and view it from a nearby observatory or with your own telescope.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.