The University of Birmingham Observatory was established in 1982 specifically for teaching astronomy within the Physics with Astrophysics BSc/MSci degree course. The Observatory was upgraded in 2006, to add a Meade LX200R 14” with an SBIG STL-1001E CCD (1024x1024 pixel) for direct imaging, with computer controlled focussing and filter change. The main instrument is a computer controlled 0.4m Cassegrain, which is now used exclusively for CCD spectroscopy. The Meade has a wide field and is used for all direct imaging and UBVR photometry. The telescope is scheduled every weekday night in term time. The observatory is used by third year students from October to February. Here students work in groups of four and undertake an observing project designed by themselves. Students have access to the observatory for second year project work in February to April. It has been used in the vacation for research purposes resulting in a number of scientific publications.

Contact: Dr Somak Raychaudhury, Director, Wast Hills Observatory (somak -at- star.sr.bham.ac.uk)

Observatory weather station data