moffatastronomy.com
OBSERVATORY BOOKINGS
A booking for supported use of the telescope or for a general daytime visit to the observatory can be made on this page. Please note that bookings are available from Monday to Friday but not available for Saturday or Sunday.
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You should read the current operating policy and then go to the Clear Night Policy Section. Then click on the "Make a Booking" button and complete the forms from there. A member of staff will be in touch to firm up on arrangements for your visit.
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All bookings will be free of charge to the user, but please note that Moffat Astronomy Club absorbs the observatory running costs and there will be an opportunity to make a donation to those at the time of your visit.
THE COMMUNITY OBSERVATORY
AND CURRENT OPERATING POLICY
There are 4 documents accessible by clicking on the buttons below. These relate to:
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1. Covid 19
2. Health and Safety during your visit
3. General Visitor Information
4. Our Clear Night Policy
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Please read before you attend as they have been made available with visitor safety in mind.
CLEAR NIGHT POLICY
Moffat will on average have about 2 nights every week suitable for viewing the night sky.
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The weather is of course completely beyond our control but this does mean that most of the sessions that are booked in advance will be unable to proceed due to cloud conditions.
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You can therefore expect the session to be cancelled if weather conditions are not suitable and this will be confirmed by text message to the phone number you provided. Please make allowances for a late as possible notification - our weather is nothing if not changeable. If you need to travel please contact your staff member in advance to determine the possibilities for the evening. Alternatively it you wish to visit anyway for a look at the set up and a discussion with one of our team, please let us know and we will try to accommodate.
MOON PHASE
You can check the phase of the moon before booking your visit
Beginners to astronomy will perhaps be unaware how much brighter the night sky is when the moon is visible, even in its earlier phases. Observational astronomy is best done when the sky is at its darkest and before any moon rises. However, the presence of the moon in itself will not prevent a session being booked or proceeding, and viewing the surface of the moon itself will be a rewarding experience. The brighter astronomical objects should also remain visible.
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To check the moon phase ahead and the weather forecast, click on the button below and enter the observatory postcode in the address box at the top of the page - DG10 9QL.