University of London Observatory

The observatory in March 2009

The University of London Observatory at Mill Hill in London is an astronomical teaching observatory. It is part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University College London.

History

The Observatory was opened on 8 October 1929 by the then Astronomer Royal Frank Watson Dyson, initially to house the 24-inch reflector from Dr W.E. Wilson's observatory at Daramona, Ireland, which was donated to the University of London after his death.

An 8-inch refractor was installed in 1931 following its donation to the University by H.R. Fry of Barnett the previous year. In July 1938, the Observatory was further expanded to accommodate the 24-inch/18-inch twin refractor that had been removed from the Radcliffe Observatory at Oxford in 1934.

In 1951, UCL took over management of the Observatory from the University of London, and over the next ten years added library, lecture, and laboratory space.

The Wilson telescope was retired in 1974 (to the Merseyside Museums), and was replaced the following year with a new 24-inch Ritchey-Chrétien Cassegrain reflector which was named after the former director of the Observatory, Professor C.W. Allen.

Current Status

In addition to the Fry, Radcliffe, and Wilson telescopes, two Celestron 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes are housed in permanent domes, and there are several smaller free-standing telescopes.

The observatory's primary purpose is to provide UCL undergraduates with training in practical astrophysical techniques and data-handling. There is also a research programme, involving students in observing transits of extrasolar planets.

SN2014J

On 21 January 2014 supernova SN2014J was discovered at the observatory by astronomer Steve Fossey during a session with four undergraduate students.

Gallery

• Radcliffe telescope, University of London Observatory (2).jpg

  The Radcliffe twin refractor telescope

• University of London Observatory.jpg

  Telescope enclosures at the observatory

• Celestron C14 telescope.jpg

  One of two Celestron C14 reflector telescopes at ULO

• Fry refractor telescope, University of London Observatory.jpg

  Fry refractor telescope, the observatory's oldest telescope

• Radcliffe telescope, University of London Observatory.jpg

  Despite its modest diameter, the Radcliffe telescope is very long because it has a long focal length

References

• University of London Observatory
• William Edward Wilson and the Story of Daramona
• the University of London's Mill Hill Observatory