THE OBSERVATORY SCIENCE CENTRE

This very endearing astronomical site is closely linked to the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Indeed if the latter was well founded in 1675 in Greenwich in London by King Charles II, it was also moved just after the Second World War in order to escape the city's lights and pollution, the site of Herstmonceux, in the south-east of England, proving much more suitable... Moreover, in the mid-1950s, the observatory already existed and was working under the best conditions. In 1967, the giant Isaac Newton telescope, 2.5 m in diameter, was even installed there! It was during the whole period when the Royal Greenwich Observatory was in Herstmonceux that it gained a true international reputation. Each year, Herstmonceux Castle next door hosted a large conference attracting the best astronomers from all over the world. The observatory was also responsible for accurately mapping the position of the stars, monitoring the Sun's activity and providing the exact time. It was in particular from the observatory's atomic clocks that the time "beeps" were sent to the BBC. Catched up by light pollution and unfavourable weather statistics, the Isaac Newton telescope was finally moved to the Canary Islands in the early 1980s, to La Palma exactly, at the top of Roque de los Muchachos, while still part of the prestigious Royal Greenwich Observatory. With the increasing degradation of the site under the effect of light pollution, and consequently the displacement of the most efficient telescopes to other skies, it was decided to move the observatory again, this time to Cambridge, to a site of the University's Institute of Astronomy. The move was effective in 1990. It was during these few years of uncertainty that the idea of transforming Herstmonceux into a "science centre" emerged. And in April 1995 the new observatory opened its doors, with its domes, buildings and telescopes renovated. Among the instruments in operation since that time are astronomical glasses and telescopes up to 96 cm in diameter for the spectacular of them. Exhibitions are also available at the Domes of Discovery..... It traces the history of the observatory through the Greenwich and Herstmonceux sites. The centrepiece of the visit is undoubtedly the impressive 96 cm diameter Congo Schmidt telescope! The Domes of Discovery also includes six interactive exhibits that provide a better understanding of theoretical astronomy (the study of stars), practical astronomy (the functioning of glasses and telescopes), as well as time measurement, the main concepts of astrophysics, etc. Finally, let us add that the region where the centre is located, very green, is very pleasant in fine weather and that the presence a few cables away from the magnificent and typical castle of Herstmonceux is a plus very appreciated by tourists passing through.