Sidmouth observatory gets £50k

Cash for classrooms where AstroScouts study stars

An observatory in East Devon set up just before the start of the First World War by one of the men who discovered helium is to get a £50,000 loan from the council.

The money will help build classrooms so that young astronomers, known as astroscouts, can learn above what lies above. In addition to school parties and astroscouts, the observatory is popular during British Science Week and the Sidmouth Science Festival.

The Norman Lockyer Observatory was established In 1912 after the astronomer after which it is named retired to Salcombe Regis near Sidmouth.  As well as being credited as one of the people who discovered helium, Mr Lockyer also founded the journal Nature. An academic seat in astrophysics at Exeter University bears his name too - it's dedicated to studying star formations and planets outside the solar system. The observatory is now  ultimately owned by East Devon District Council and licensed to the observatory.

The observatory says its current classrooms can't cope with the number of astroscouts, not least because parents want to come to lessons too. They want to build quickly, and at least have a roof on by the time winter comes. The extension they're planning will also help them conduct experiments in radio astronomy.

The observatory has a planetarium and a convention centre and is a focal point in Devon for amateur astronomy. It is looked after by volunteers. The dome and technology centre were officially opened by star guitar player and astrophysicist Dr Brian May in the centenary of the observatory's formation.