Eyes to the sky at Dumfries Museum
Stargazing and navigating the night sky are being offered in a three-hour evening special at Dumfries Museum on Rotchell Road on the next two Saturdays, October 12 and 19. Museum staff and members of the Dumfries Astronomy Society are taking advantage of the site high above the town to offer an out of this world experience and the chance to learn about one of the region’s greatest scientists, Robbie Waland, and the building’s connections to astronomy.
Dumfries Museum was originally established by the Dumfries and Maxwelltown Astronomical Society back in 1836, and their original telescope can still be seen today in the observatory room. The museum is centred around the town’s former observatory, and the evenings will include the chance to explore some related artefacts – with short talks given by staff throughout the evening. The gatherings – which are free admission, though donations to Dumfries Astronomy Society would be appreciated – are open to all ages, from 6pm to 9pm. No need to book – just turn up.
Hot drinks will be available to help keep out the chill, and organisers are warning that warm clothing should be worn, along with waterproofs. During the course of the evening, Dumfries Astronomy Society will be teaching what we can see with the naked eye, binoculars and telescopes. Additionally, there will be the chance to learn how to find some basic features to navigate around the night sky from our latitude and how this revolves throughout the winter months.
Among the museum’s collection are items gifted by the late Dumfries-born Robbie Waland who is famed for making advances in the study of astronomy and mapped the moon’s surface for the Apollo Space Missions. He created the telescope which was used to map the moon to make it possible for Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to take their famous walk.
Born in Leafield Road in Dumfries, Robbie took up his hobby in a garden shed, enjoying astronomy and creating telescopes. From a homemade “Dumfries Telescope” he created in 1945, he went on to construct the revolutionary and world-famous Schmidt-Casegrain telescope in St Andrew’s University Observatory which, for the first time, accurately photographed and recorded stars millions of light years away. In 1962, he moved to Tucson, USA, to become a research associate to the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory of the University of Arizona with his work closely linked to America’s space programme.
Robbie designed and constructed optics for a 61-inch reflecting telescope for planetary research and it was used to compile an atlas of the moon. He went on to conduct research on an electronic telescope for use on the satellites launched by the space shuttle and in 1992 had an asteroid named after him. He died in 1999 at the age of 90 and gifted many items to Dumfries Museum and also cash which was used to help buy the telescope which is in operation at the museum.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the Dumfries Astronomy Society and Dumfries Museum staff at the two evening stargazing events using telescopes. So, for those looking to gaze at the stars and gain insight into the wonders of the night sky, make sure to head to the Dumfries Museum for an unforgettable experience.
*This article first appeared in the Daily Record on 10th October 2024.*