Godlee Observatory

Godlee Observatory
OrganizationManchester Astronomical Society, University of Manchester
LocationSackville Street Building, Manchester, England
Coordinates53°28′34.12″N 2°13′57.52″W / 53.4761444°N 2.2326444°W / 53.4761444; -2.2326444
Altitude77.4 m (254 ft)
Telescopes
8" refracting telescopeGrubb of Dublin
12" Newtonian reflectorGrubb of Dublin
Godlee Observatory is located in the United Kingdom
Godlee Observatory
Location of Godlee Observatory
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The Godlee Observatory is an old astronomical observatory located in a tower on the roof of the University of Manchester's Sackville Street Building, G floor (formerly UMIST Main Building), in the City Centre of Manchester, England. It was given to the city of Manchester by Francis Godlee when construction was completed in 1902.[1] The dome is constructed out of papier-mâché and is reached by an Edwardian era wrought iron staircase and a trap door.[2]

Godlee Observatory is home to two original telescopes made by Grubb of Dublin: a Newtonian telescope that uses a concave primary mirror and a flat diagonal secondary mirror, and a refracting telescope that uses a lens as its objective to form an image.[2] The observatory is operated by the Manchester Astronomical Society.[3]

As of November 2022, the Observatory is closed indefinitely due to redevelopment work on the North Campus of the University of Manchester.[4][3]

  1. ^ "The moon, the stars and the Godlee". BBC News. 20 July 2009.
  2. ^ a b "The hidden Manchester star gazing observatory with a papier-mache roof". The Manc. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Manchester Astronomical Society". Manastro.org. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Godlee Observatory (closed for redevelopment)". Go Stargazing. Retrieved 14 March 2023.