Mills Observatory

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Mills Observatory Britain’s first purpose-built public observatory. Our friendly staff are on hand to help and advise.

Britain’s first purpose-built public observatory enjoys a magnificent woodland setting on the summit of Balgay Hill. Watch stars and planets through our telescopes, or admire the scenery with some spectacular treetop vistas across ‘the silvery Tay’. With fascinating space exploration and astronomical displays, planetarium shows and a fully computerised telescope that can detect 30,000 objects in the sky, there’s so much to see, do and learn! Mills Observatory is owned by Dundee City Council and operated by Leisure & Culture Dundee.

This wonderful shot of northern lights was taken by Ian McIntosh (a Dundee Astronomical Society member) last Saturday a...
14/10/2026

This wonderful shot of northern lights was taken by Ian McIntosh (a Dundee Astronomical Society member) last Saturday at about 22:30, from the A928 to Glamis.

Details of the shot are as follows: on an untracked standard tripod, using a mirrorless Sony A6000 camera; an exposure time of 20 seconds at F/4 using an 18-105mm Sony lens at 18mm, set at 3200 ISO.

Can you spot the well known celestial signpost? The asterism we call the Plough (known as the Big Dipper in North America and La Grande Casserole, the big saucepan, in France).

The Plough is often used as a celestial signpost because:
- The two "pointer stars", Dubhe and Merak, point towards Polaris (the North Star).
- Following the curve of the handle leads to Arcturus ("arc to Arcturus").
- Continuing that curve leads to Spica.

🔴🟡 Mars and Jupiter Before Dawn Early risers can enjoy a striking planetary pairing this month. Mars rises shortly after...
10/10/2026

🔴🟡 Mars and Jupiter Before Dawn

Early risers can enjoy a striking planetary pairing this month. Mars rises shortly after midnight and appears distinctly orange in Cancer, while brighter, yellowish Jupiter follows behind in Leo. By dawn, both will be high in the south-eastern sky, making an attractive contrast in colour and brightness.

For more information, visit our Sky Diary: www.leisureandculturedundee.com/mills/sky-diary

We may have some decent viewing weather tonight. Some light patches of cloud may develop but hopefully not too much. Sa...
07/10/2026

We may have some decent viewing weather tonight. Some light patches of cloud may develop but hopefully not too much. Saturn should be visible between 8:00-9:30 pm. If you have a telescope at home it will be even better around midnight because it will be at its highest in the southern sky.

You may even spot a meteor!

🌌 Exploring Pisces and Aquarius Below the Square of Pegasus the sky appears much fainter, with Pisces stretching across ...
06/10/2026

🌌 Exploring Pisces and Aquarius

Below the Square of Pegasus the sky appears much fainter, with Pisces stretching across the area. Keen observers may spot the distinctive Circlet of Pisces, a small ring-shaped group of stars. Beneath it lies Aquarius, another subtle constellation best enjoyed under dark autumn skies.

For more information, visit our Sky Diary: www.leisureandculturedundee.com/mills/sky-diary

06/10/2026

Our operations officer Dom is putting our marketing team to shame with this one! Incredible shots of the Mills and Balgay Hill 😍

We're open tonight until 10pm, so come along and enjoy the view yourself.

🪐 Saturn at Its Best Saturn rises at around 6pm and reaches its highest point in the sky near midnight, making October a...
03/10/2026

🪐 Saturn at Its Best

Saturn rises at around 6pm and reaches its highest point in the sky near midnight, making October an excellent time for observation. Located in the northern part of Cetus, the ringed planet will remain well placed throughout the evening for the next few months, providing some of the season's finest telescopic views.

For more information, visit our Sky Diary: www.leisureandculturedundee.com/mills/sky-diary

🌟 The countdown is over! Mills Observatory has reopened for the winter season, and we've restocked our shop with some t...
03/10/2026

🌟 The countdown is over! Mills Observatory has reopened for the winter season, and we've restocked our shop with some truly out-of-this-world products.

Explore our expanded NASA range, browse fascinating astronomy books, discover toys and activities for budding space enthusiasts, and visit the ever-popular Mills Rock Shop. Whether you're searching for a unique gift or treating yourself, there's something for everyone.

🕓 Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday: 4pm - 10pm
Saturday: 6.30pm - 10pm

✨ We look forward to welcoming you back.

No need to book, just drop in and enjoy an evening under the stars!

🌙🔭 The Moon Returns to the Evening Sky The Moon may have seemed absent during late summer, but as we move towards winter...
02/10/2026

🌙🔭 The Moon Returns to the Evening Sky

The Moon may have seemed absent during late summer, but as we move towards winter it is becoming much better placed for evening observing. Around first and last quarter, long shadows reveal craters and mountains in stunning detail, while a full Moon is ideal for exploring the subtle shades of the darker maria.

This month's phases are:

🌗 Last Quarter - 3 October
🌑 New Moon - 10 October
🌓 First Quarter - 18 October
🌕 Full Moon - 26 October

For more information, visit our Sky Diary: www.leisureandculturedundee.com/mills/sky-diary

🐴⭐ Pegasus and the Arrival of Winter Stars The Summer Triangle of Vega, Deneb and Altair is slowly moving westwards, mak...
01/10/2026

🐴⭐ Pegasus and the Arrival of Winter Stars

The Summer Triangle of Vega, Deneb and Altair is slowly moving westwards, making way for one of autumn's most recognisable constellations. Look high in the southern sky for Pegasus, the Flying Horse, marked by its famous Square of Pegasus. Just beyond the star marking the horse's nose lies the globular cluster M15, a rewarding target for binocular and telescope users.

Following Pegasus across the sky come Triangulum and Perseus, while the bright yellow star Capella shines in the east. Lower down, the orange glow of Aldebaran, the brightest star in Ta**us, is becoming increasingly prominent. For many observers, Ta**us marks the arrival of the spectacular winter constellations that will dominate our skies in the months ahead.

The chart is courtesy of www.heavens-above.com and it shows the sky above Dundee at 9 pm on 15th October 2026

For more information, visit our Sky Diary: www.leisureandculturedundee.com/mills/sky-diary

We reopen for the winter season today!We're looking forward to welcoming visitors back for a new season of stargazing, a...
01/10/2026

We reopen for the winter season today!

We're looking forward to welcoming visitors back for a new season of stargazing, astronomy events and indoor planetarium shows.

Mills Observatory is open from 4pm-10pm tonight so drop in and explore the stars ✨

Address

Glamis Road, Balgay Park
Dundee
DD22UB

Opening Hours

Monday 4pm - 10pm
Tuesday 4pm - 10pm
Wednesday 4pm - 10pm
Thursday 4pm - 10pm
Friday 4pm - 10pm
Saturday 6:30pm - 10pm

Telephone

01382 435967

Website

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