This is devastating for the region- an iconic landmark needlessly destroyed. We’ve seen so many beautiful images of Sycamore Gap over the years and hope that there is some accountability for this act of vandalism.
Woke up to the sad news this morning that the iconic sycamore gap has been felled overnight. Living just 5 minutes down the road, it has been a place of solace for me on dark starry nights. It was a symbol that represented the unrivalled history and beauty of Northumberland.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Alyn Wallace.
Alyn's exceptional images and insightful tutorials have influenced a whole generation of astrophotographers.
We're sure his work will continue to inspire.
R.I.P Alyn.
Image Credit: Alyn Wallace
We were lucky enough to see a full show of the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) on Tuesday night 😍
This image was captured at Kielder Observatory by one of our volunteers, Michael Auton!
#aurora
#northernlights
If there is only one ring to rule them all, we think it must be the Ring Nebula, A.K.A M57. This little fuzz is all that remains of what was once a star like our Sun 🌞-> 💀
What better way to mark
#InternationalDayOfHappiness
than with with a special moment under clear dark skies. Nothing makes us happier than seeing the wonder in our guests' eyes as they experience the magic here at Kielder. So today we're asking, what makes you happy? 🔭⭐️💫
This April 15th-22nd is International Dark Sky Week!

This year marks 10 years since Northumbria national park achieved Dark Sky Status- we’re the largest gold tiered dark sky park in Europe!
#darksky
#discoverthenight
#IDSW2023
,
#DarkSkyWeek
Beautiful clear skies recently! We put our imaging suite in the GDAIA building to work to take this image of the Orion Nebula, a stellar nursery. Join us and our experienced astronomers this winter at the most acclaimed stargazing events in the UK. Image by astronomer Natasha.
We’re hugely excited for this to be built! Sky's the limit for Kielder Observatory, with plans approved for new planetarium - Chronicle Live
#astronomy
#stargazing
#planetarium
It's opening night!! Thank you to everyone who's supported us over the last year - you are incredible. Curtain up at 9pm tonight! Good luck to fellow observatories
@twicebrewedinn
@DarkSky_Obs
and Stonehaugh Astronomy!
Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF will be at its closest point to Earth today, at a distance of 26 million miles. You’ll need binoculars or a telescope to see it, but it’s worth a try before it heads back to the outer solar system for another 50000 years!
Another lovely iPhone shot from our Astronomer
@guyhaveron
last night at Kielder Observatory!
You don’t need fancy equipment to capture the magic for yourself. Your phone camera will pick up colours that you can’t with the naked eye!
What a night! We’re thrilled to have won Gold for Small Visitor Attraction
@TourismAwardsNE
#NEETA22
! Thank you to the judges, but mainly to our fantastic visitors who make the evenings under the dark skies so wonderful. Back to it tonight… ✨
⭐️New year, new job?⭐️
We're expanding our team with new science communicators and
#astronomers
! No formal qualifications needed, but you should be able to demonstrate knowledge and enthusiasm for
#astronomy
Apply now! Deadline 15th Jan
A snowy night up at the Obsy, the Astronomers on shift took the opportunity to build a snowman. The alignment with Orion was 100% planned using advanced astronomical knowledge
#snow
#astronomy
This
#NorthumberlandHour
we're celebrating the fantastic display of the Aurora we were treated to this month! There really is no better place to view the Dark Skies than in Northumberland's Dark Sky Park!
Good forecast tonight and a chance to do the annual star count. If you fancy a family friendly stargazing session in your back garden, whilst also contributing valuable data towards science, here’s how you can take part...
@PaddyMcGuinness
@bbcweather
It's been 10 years since we named one of our turrets after Sir Patrick Moore. Now, we're renaming one of our observatory turrets after esteemed astronomer, Caroline Herschel! But, we'd like your Local Hero to take part in the renaming ceremony later in the year!
Our beloved Obsy still stands. The track to it is completely blocked with fallen trees but the wonderful people at
@ForestryEngland
are working flat out across Kielder and will get to us when they can. We'll keep everyone posted with more information when we get it.
Some amazing Aurora from County Durham tonight! What you can’t see here is I was being rained on at the same time as taking this 😅 keep an eye out for more!
#aurora
#aurorawatch
#aurorauk
At around 3am this morning there was a newly discovered 1-meter asteroid expected to hit Earth’s atmosphere over northern France!
I just had to try and get a shot of it.. and here it is from Northumberland, UK 🤯
@BBCLN
@bbcweather
@BBCJustinR
@BBCNews
@BBCScienceNews
A timelapse of the clear skies during November at Kielder Observatory. It was quite a gloomy start to the month, but it was worth waiting for the perfect starry skies during the last week.
Photography:
@DanielMonk91
Music: Snowfall by Scott Buckley
It's April, can you belive it! With the spring skies returning its galaxy hunting season. Looking forward to taking more images like this one...
Can anyone name this galaxy?
What a difference 142 years can make! To celebrate the birthday of the first photograph of the Orion Nebula we captured our own using just a mobile phone pointing down the end of a telescope last night 📱🔭