Plans to build an astronomy centre in Sheffield have been approved by the city council's planners.
The Mayfield Astronomy and Space centre will house two telescopes with the capability to look into deep space.

The Sheffield Astronomical Society is now hoping to raise £500,000 to help build the facility in Fulwood.
The next step is to finalise approval from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister because the proposed centre is in a greenbelt area, the Society said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/4681945.stm

http://www.sheffieldastro.org.uk/masc/news.html

http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=1083184

It will never get built, not in Fullwood.

I look foreward to seeing the "great red spot of Mars" mentioned in The Star article :)

Well most people in Fulwood are in full support of it.:thumbsup:

It's a great project.

will it be members only - or will anyone be able to come and have a butchers?

Who will finance it and will it be a success as it is about time that Sheffield had a good facility such as this.

I know we have the sports facilities and all the other stuff but to put us on the map, Sheffield hardly has anything does it.

The National Centre for Popular Music failed and we were never really going to get the Royal Armouries not when competing against Yorkshires capital city of Leeds. !!

Hope it goes well as I would also be interested in paying a visit and bringing my kids along to have a look.

There is an observatory at hoober near Wentworth which is run by the Swinton and Mexborough astronomical society, they sometimes have open viewings. Try getting in touch with them

This is a much more modest enterprise, and its privately run / owned so comparisons with NCPM are hardly fair.

They do open evenings all the time now anyway.

I would be willing to add a small donation.

Good on them, I say !

Thanks to all that believe we can do it. We really appreciate your enthusiasm.

We have got planning now after over 2 and a half years of hard work, on top of running the society's normal calendar of events. We have plenty more to do and need all your support.

Our idea is to provide the people of Sheffield access to high quality astronomy. Astronomy is amazing - once you have seen a planet through a good telescope you just get hooked. The observatory will not be public access like a library but for minimal cost access will be for all interested. We are just a charity run by people with full time jobs. We don't want a private expensive members only club. Becoming a member just shows your support and interest in amateur astronomy. The reason we are in S10 is not because we are posh and clever - it is because all the astronomy is in the south west skies and we want the light polluting city behind us.

We do observe all the time, just not under the cover of an observatory, and you are welcome to come to try it out.

We have two observing events this month on the 15th and the 29th. The 15th is our standard monthly observing event which is £1 for adults and free for the kids. The 29th is a special one-off event for the close approach of Mars. This event is £3/£1 adults/kids but includes indoor presentations.

For more information please email/ring us or visit
www sheffieldastro org.uk