🔊 Exciting news! The 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scottish #DarkSky Observatory will live again! We were all so upset when it burnt to a cinder back in 2021, but yesterday we bought the land for its new home, deep within the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park! 🧵1/3 🧪🔭 #astrophotography - ThreadSky

astroroyalscot.bsky.social • 89 days ago

🔊 Exciting news! The 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scottish #DarkSky Observatory will live again! We were all so upset when it burnt to a cinder back in 2021, but yesterday we bought the land for its new home, deep within the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park! 🧵1/3 🧪🔭 #astrophotography

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redcosmonaut.bsky.social•89 days ago

like Notre Dame ...back from the ashes!

public4ph.bsky.social•89 days ago

freeebooter.bsky.social•89 days ago

How can we get involved? Ayrshire astro fan here...

astroroyalscot.bsky.social•87 days ago

Hi Scott! If you're on Facebook the SDSO has a page here: https://www.facebook.com/darkskyobservatory
There will certainly be volunteering opportunities, so thanks for your interest. When they come up on facebook I'll post them here as well (or maybe I'll convince SDSO to open an account here too!)

freeebooter.bsky.social•87 days ago

Thank you. I'm on FB and had gotten in touch with the SDSO when I first moved here. I'll keep my eyes open.

follykin.bsky.social•89 days ago

What happened? Why did it burn in the first place?

astroroyalscot.bsky.social•89 days ago

Suspected arson very sadly ☹️

follykin.bsky.social•89 days ago

Oh man..

leerandall.bsky.social•89 days ago

That is fantastic.

bardseyben.bsky.social•86 days ago

Awesome! @danidarkskies.bsky.social when are we sorting out one of these in Eryri?? 😜😄

danidarkskies.bsky.social•86 days ago

When someone donates us some land 😂

P.S we have a very mini version already finished on Môn, but Storm Bert made us reschedule the opening!

astroroyalscot.bsky.social•89 days ago

In a £1.5M redevelopment on the banks of Clatteringshaws Loch, our new observatory will have 2 large telescopes in 2 domes, a planetarium, exhibition area, gift shop & café. I'm honoured to be the Patron of this fantastic charity and we can't wait to welcome you when we re-open in late 2026 🥳 🧵2/3 🔭

simon-brooke.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy•89 days ago

@astroroyalscot.bsky.social oh, now this I am looking forward to!

astroroyalscot.bsky.social•89 days ago

Heartfelt thanks go to the SDSO Board of Trustees lead by Marc Charron, the Business & Operations Manager Fi McClelland, South of Scotland Enterprise for their generous 200k grant and the South of Scotland Destination Alliance. Exciting times ahead!! 🧵/end
ℹ️: https://www.independent.co.uk/space/dumfries-ayrshire-phoenix-europe-b2656301.html

astroroyalscot.bsky.social•89 days ago

Great to see that the BBC has picked up on this happy news story for St Andrew's Day! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

📰: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mzppkw8pyo

penguingalaxy.bsky.social•89 days ago

Oh, that's wonderful. Congratulations and I'm looking forward to hearing how the telescopes and people like their new home!

philplait.bsky.social•89 days ago

This is fantastic news!

jennyshipway.bsky.social•89 days ago

This is fantastic news!! Congratulations to everyone involved. And a new planetarium!! ♥️

shouldbeinbed.bsky.social•89 days ago

Sounds great and I can combine a visit with a quick jaunt to #BladnochDistillery to stock up on essential supplies 😀

astroroyalscot.bsky.social•89 days ago

Win Win 🥳

pemo.bsky.social•82 days ago

📌

dizdastardly.bsky.social•89 days ago

Love to check it out when completed.

lianabrooks.bsky.social•89 days ago

"Deep Within The Forest" only sounds mildly ominous. But I'm glad you get to rebuild!

astroroyalscot.bsky.social•89 days ago

😂 The deeper you head into the Dark Sky Park, and forest, the darker it gets, which makes astronomers very happy!

lianabrooks.bsky.social•89 days ago

I know the darkness makes the astronomers happy, but the author in me sees "deep in the forest" and instantly goes on high alert.

astroroyalscot.bsky.social•89 days ago

I love this. Whenever you're in Scotland (spoons allowing) you'll just have to come on an observing night with me, see if we can't re-align those inner-author feelings 🤗

lianabrooks.bsky.social•89 days ago

That sounds fabulous! If I'm ever in the area, I'll let you know.

mrduttz.bsky.social•89 days ago

There are no wolves now.. 😅

mikebolam.bsky.social•89 days ago

This is fantastic news!

genmarshall.bsky.social•89 days ago

This is amazing! Congratulations ❤️ If you ever need fundraising brainstorming let me know would love to be involved in more Scottish astronomy programmes (have been plotting my dream PhD for years now around Scottish history/archaeology cultural heritage, women and our connection to the night sky)

astroroyalscot.bsky.social•89 days ago

That does sound like the ultimate PhD topic Genevieve! Thankfully the previous observatory was insured, and so most of the necessary funds for the re-build are in place. For sure the build team will meet unexpected hurdles though and need new funds, so many thanks for the offer 🙏

genmarshall.bsky.social•89 days ago

That's so good to hear about the insurance. Capital builds can get so expensive 😭 and yes anytime! I'm back in Pedro's group at Leiden now so just let me know (would be voluntary of course). Happy to help if needed.

biaastronomy.bsky.social•89 days ago

Wonderful news

mikechristie.bsky.social•89 days ago

Fantastic news!

ladyliminal.bsky.social•89 days ago

This is brilliant news! 🙂

darkskyambassador.bsky.social•89 days ago

Wow! That is amazing news!, Please keep us all posted on the build progress, having just been involved with our Planetarium Build this last year, I found the journey super exciting! 🔭💕

peterlewis55.bsky.social•89 days ago

Congratulations!

elliottucker.bsky.social•89 days ago

That’s amazing! Was heartbroken when it went up and I’d never even been there.

albaastro.bsky.social•89 days ago

I cried so much when this happened 😞 I had kept in touch with Marc Charron and I am elated that this is happening 😀🥰

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