Flamsteed Astronomy Society

The Radcliffe Telescope at the ULO

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

We have arranged a trip to the University of London Observatory, Mill Hill on June 20th from 4.30pm.

There are 30 places available and BOOKING IS REQUIRED (see links below). A small donation to ULO of £5.00 per person will apply (payable on the day).

About ULO

Although initially established as a University of London facility (still reflected in the name), the Observatory has been exclusively managed by University College London since 1951. It is a hands-on teaching observatory, part of the Astrophysics Group in UCL’s Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The ULO are equipped with five permanently mounted telescopes, two lecture/classrooms, and a specialist astronomy library. They are reasonably easily accessible from the main Bloomsbury campus, ensuring that students have good access to the telescopes. In addition to observing, students are trained in data-reduction techniques, the practical applications of astrophysical theory, and computational astronomy. This training can take place in the context of an  undergraduate degree module, a student project, or, for interested members of the public, as part of their higher-education Certificate in Astronomy.

ULO remains active in scientific inquiry, with a strong observational research programme in extrasolar planets. They are in the process of expanding their observing capabilities with the development of unattended (remote & robotic) observing modes, which they hope will culminate in a new large robotic telescope, a project for which funding is currently underway.

University of London Observatory – 553 Watford Way – Mill Hill – London – NW7 2QS.  The Observatory is located off the northbound carriageway of the A1 in Mill Hill, North London.  Pedestrians on the southbound side of the road must use the under-road subway just north of the Observatory.)  There is no on-site visitor parking (other than by prior arrangement for disabled visitors). Unfortunately, the site is not wheelchair-friendly, with gravelled grounds and steep stairways. Disabled visitors should contact ULO well in advance to discuss access requirements.  It is easily reached by public transport:

Getting there

Take the Northern Line (Edgware branch) to Hendon Central, then Bus 186 or 113 (the northbound bus-stops are over the road and up the hill from the tube station). These buses take about 10 minutes to reach a stop just past ULO (although waiting times can be long).

Alternatively, take Bus Service 221 from Mill Hill East to Mill Hill Broadway (approx. 20 min) or Service 240 to Mill Hill Broadway Station (approx. 13 min).  Services 186, 221, 240, and 251 stop at Mill Hill Broadway, a 10–15-minute  walk from ULO via Hartley Avenue. Because bus timetables and routes change from time to time, ULO recommend that you check the Transport for London web site before travel.

By Car

ULO discourage arrival by car; entry to the site from the Watford Way is hazardous (drop-offs even more so), and there is no parking for tour visitors on site. A large, free public car park is located nearby, in Daws Lane (postcode for satnav is NW7 4SL; the subsequent short walk to ULO is via the A1 pedestrian underpass, most easily reached from the alley that runs along the western side of Royal Mail Mill Hill Delivery Office). Parking is also available in the Mill Hill Broadway railway-station car park in Bunn’s Lane (pay & display, but free after 18:30).