Our Projects
Project Rosa Klebb
This project cover the main silver dome and telescope. Currently, the motor that drives the dome to rotate 360 degrees is not working. There were several attempts to repair the motor in prior years to no effect. We have serviced and repaired the motor and await drier weather for testing.
The 'eye' of the dome was damaged several years ago in a storm and also requires repair. It will be taken down this Summer for repair and renovation.
Lastly there is the telescope itself. There is no manual as its a bespoke creation so we'll have to figure out how to fully restore its function as we go along.
Project Drax
The green dome and building on site was built by volunteers using funds donated by visitors, fans and followers of The Spaceguard Centre. The owner of the Centre gave permission for the dome to be built on his property to house the 70 year old telescope donated by the Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge University. The volunteers continue to work to restore this enormous telescope and hope eventually to conduct research work. This dome and its telescope is not open to the general public and is licensed for the exclusive use of the Marches Astronomy Group (MAG) only.
Project Blofeld
Blofeld is the white 'robotic' dome. Inside it contains a Meade LX200 telescope that captures images of targets digitally enabling us to send this data to the Minor Planets Centre for further analysis.
It appears that the shutter motor has been inoperable for some years despite attempts to repair it and will require attention. We hope to make the dome and telescope fully robotic so it can be operated from indoors and scheduled to perform regular tasks.
Camera Obscura
For the past 23 years, the camera obscura was used as a store room. As a result some of the equipment had deteriorated and required repair.
The repairs have now been completed and we await a dry spell to enable us to reassemble the camera obscura, test the optics and put back into the small tower at the back of the observatory.
This device offers a great way to enjoy the 360 degree panoramic views without being battered by the wind and rain!
It is also the same size as the camera obscura at Cliff House, Aberystwyth and therefore ranks as one of the largest in the world.
