Mills Observatory

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 t

he sky, there’s so much to see, do and learn! Mills Observatory is owned by Dundee City Council and operated by Leisure & Culture Dundee.

☁️ Watch for Noctilucent Clouds June is one of the best times to spot the beautiful noctilucent clouds (NLCs)—delicate, ...
10/06/2026

☁️ Watch for Noctilucent Clouds

June is one of the best times to spot the beautiful noctilucent clouds (NLCs)—delicate, pearly-white ice clouds that form high in Earth's atmosphere.

Look towards the northern horizon about an hour after sunset, especially during the third week of June when displays are often at their finest. These shimmering clouds can sometimes stretch across much of the sky and even appear overhead before fading as dawn approaches.

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

Please remember we are now closed for the summer and look forward to welcoming you back on October 1, 2026.

⭐ The Summer Triangle Returns June brings the return of one of the most recognisable sights in the night sky—the Summer ...
07/06/2026

⭐ The Summer Triangle Returns

June brings the return of one of the most recognisable sights in the night sky—the Summer Triangle. As darkness falls, look towards the eastern sky to spot the bright stars Vega, Deneb and Altair, which form this famous celestial pattern.

Named by Austrian astronomer Oswald Thomas in 1934 and later popularised by Sir Patrick Moore, the Summer Triangle is a reliable guide to the summer night sky. Over the coming months it will gradually move westward, carrying observers towards a rich region of fainter stars, star clusters and nebulae.

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

Please remember we are now closed for the summer and look forward to welcoming you back on October 1, 2026.

✨ Happening Today at Mills Observatory! 🌞🔭Join us today for a rare summer opening of Mills Observatory as we welcome the...
06/06/2026

✨ Happening Today at Mills Observatory! 🌞🔭

Join us today for a rare summer opening of Mills Observatory as we welcome the University of Dundee’s Science Fair, part of The Williamina and Joanna School for Variable Stars project.

🧪 Drop in to explore fascinating experiments and presentations from talented students
🕑 Observatory open: 3:00pm – 5:30pm
🔬 Science Fair: 3pm – 4:30pm
🎟️ Entry is FREE – everyone is welcome!

If you’re looking for something a little different this afternoon, come along and enjoy an inspiring mix of science, discovery, and one of Dundee’s most unique venues.

We hope to see you there!

🌙 June Moon Phases Planning an observing session? Here are this month's key lunar phases: 🌗 Last Quarter – 8 June 🌑 New ...
05/06/2026

🌙 June Moon Phases

Planning an observing session? Here are this month's key lunar phases:

🌗 Last Quarter – 8 June
🌑 New Moon – 15 June
🌓 First Quarter – 21 June
🌕 Full Moon – 30 June

The New Moon period is the best time to explore faint stars, galaxies and nebulae under darker skies.

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

Please remember we are now closed for the summer and look forward to welcoming you back on October 1, 2026.

🔴 Mars and Saturn in the Morning Sky Early risers can look for Mars and Saturn in the morning sky this month. Mars rises...
03/06/2026

🔴 Mars and Saturn in the Morning Sky

Early risers can look for Mars and Saturn in the morning sky this month. Mars rises before the Sun in the north-east, although it remains low and difficult to spot in the bright dawn twilight.

Meanwhile, Saturn rises in the east around 1am and gradually gains altitude throughout June. While observing conditions are not ideal yet, the ringed planet will become a much more rewarding target later in the year.

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

Please remember we are now closed for the summer and look forward to welcoming you back on October 1, 2026.

✨ Venus, Mercury and Jupiter in the Evening Sky The north-western sky after sunset offers a planetary treat this June. V...
02/06/2026

✨ Venus, Mercury and Jupiter in the Evening Sky

The north-western sky after sunset offers a planetary treat this June. Venus shines brilliantly in the twilight and should be easy to spot, while Mercury sits lower down and becomes increasingly difficult to see as the month progresses.

A special highlight comes on 9 June, when Venus and Jupiter appear close together low above the western horizon. If you have an unobstructed view to the west, it's well worth taking a look.

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

Please remember we are now closed for the summer and look forward to welcoming you back on October 1, 2026.

✨ Special Summer Opening at Mills Observatory! 🌞🔭 Join us this Saturday for a rare summer opening of Mills Observatory a...
02/06/2026

✨ Special Summer Opening at Mills Observatory! 🌞🔭

Join us this Saturday for a rare summer opening of Mills Observatory as we welcome the University of Dundee’s Science Fair, part of The Williamina and Joanna School for Variable Stars project.

🧪 Explore fascinating experiments and presentations from talented students
🕑 Observatory open: 3:00pm – 5:30pm
🔬 Science Fair: 3pm – 4:30pm
🎟️ Entry is FREE – everyone is welcome!

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to visit Mills Observatory in the summer and experience an inspiring afternoon of science and discovery.

🌌❄️ LOOK NORTH FOR NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS Late May marks the possible return of noctilucent clouds — rare, high‑altitude ice...
20/05/2026

🌌❄️ LOOK NORTH FOR NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS

Late May marks the possible return of noctilucent clouds — rare, high‑altitude ice clouds that glow long after sunset. Best seen low in the northern sky late at night, these delicate pearly or bluish patterns are among the most striking sights of the summer sky.

The photo is courtesy of Ken Kennedy and shows the noctilucent clouds on 7th July 2025.



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

Please remember we are now closed for the summer and look forward to welcoming you back on October 1, 2026.

🪐✨ PLANETS IN THE LATE SPRING SKY Venus shines brightly after sunset in the west‑north‑west throughout May, climbing hig...
12/05/2026

🪐✨ PLANETS IN THE LATE SPRING SKY

Venus shines brightly after sunset in the west‑north‑west throughout May, climbing higher as the month progresses. Jupiter remains visible in the evening sky, setting around 1am. Mercury briefly appears very low in the north‑west later in the month, while Mars and Saturn are difficult to spot in the brightening morning sky.



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

Please remember we are now closed for the summer and look forward to welcoming you back on October 1, 2026.

⭐🔭 SPRING CONSTELLATIONS & DISTANT GALAXIES Ursa Major and the familiar Plough are high overhead during May evenings. Fo...
05/05/2026

⭐🔭 SPRING CONSTELLATIONS & DISTANT GALAXIES

Ursa Major and the familiar Plough are high overhead during May evenings. Follow the curve of the Plough’s handle to Arcturus, the bright star of Boötes. Although brighter skies make faint objects harder to see, some well‑known galaxies in Ursa Major — such as Messier 81 and 82 — remain rewarding targets with small telescopes.

The Sky Chart is courtesy of www.heavens-above.com and shows the sky above Dundee on 15th May at 10pm.



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

Please remember we are now closed for the summer and look forward to welcoming you back on October 1, 2026.

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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