​As part of Scotland's Doors Open Days (Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September) the Royal Observatory Edinburgh (ROE) invites visitors to step behind the scenes at one of the UK's leading centres for astronomical research and innovation. 

Home to the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC), the University of Edinburgh's Institute for Astronomy (IfA) and the Higgs Centre for Innovation, making it a hub of cutting-edge research and development.

This year there will be limited capacity on site due to essential maintenance work, so visitors are advised to book their tickets as soon as possible to ensure entry.

This also means the old Victorian building that houses the telescope dome will be closed this year.

The annual event will be scaled back compared to previous years, but there will still be plenty to see and do. Visitors can meet astronomers and engineers, enjoy science talks, build LEGO kits, get creative with astronomy crafts and more. 

Professor Christophe Dumas, ROE Head of Site and UK ATC Director, said: “Doors Open Days is a wonderful opportunity to share our work with the public. Even with a more compact programme this year we hope to inspire curiosity and connect people with the science shaping our understanding of the Universe. We're thrilled to welcome visitors and showcase the incredible research happening right here in Edinburgh." 

Professor Ken Rice, Head of the University of Edinburgh's IfA, said: “The IfA's research interests range from understanding comets and asteroids in our Solar System, detecting and characterising planets around other stars to studying the formation and evolution of galaxies and probing the early universe to understand its origin and how it has evolved. It will be fantastic to present some of this work to the public and for our researchers to have a chance to spend some time talking with visitors about the work that we do."​

Royal Observatory Doors Open Days

Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September 10am-5pm (last entry to site at 4pm)

​Royal Observatory Edinburgh

Blackford Hill

Edinburgh

EH9 3HJ

​Entry is free, but ticketed, please register for places in advance.