Airdrie Public Observatory

Airdrie Public Observatory is a working public astronomical observatory built into the roof of Airdrie’s public library in North Lanarkshire. It is one of only four public observatories in the United Kingdom and the smallest of them. The building also houses the town’s library and arts centre. The observatory’s main instrument is a 6-inch Victorian refracting telescope with an equatorial mount and clockwork drive. The telescope can magnify objects between 60 and 350 times and was once considered research grade. Three Apollo astronauts visited the observatory between 2010 and 2012 as part of a local project, each giving talks to schoolchildren and becoming honorary presidents of the Airdrie Astronomical Association. Visitors find the observatory’s dome on the library roof, reached inside the building. The main telescope is still used for public viewing sessions during astronomical events. The original 1896 refractor, donated by a Glasgow eye surgeon, is displayed in the library’s local history room. Weekly talks by members and guests take place in a nearby church, and group visits can be arranged by request.