astronomy

Norman Lockyer Observatory

Norman Lockyer Observatory is a astronomy topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Norman Lockyer Observatory rather than just read about it. In short: The Norman Lockyer Observatory, the Lockyer Technology Centre, and the Planetarium (jointly NLO), is a public access optical observatory 1 mile (1.6 km) east of Sidmouth, East Devon in South West England. It houses a number of historical optical telescopes, including the Lockyer Telescope, and is operated by Norman Lockyer Observatory Society (NLOS).

Key takeaways

Norman Lockyer Observatory belongs to astronomy; place it in that map before memorising details.
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Reproduce the core statement of Norman Lockyer Observatory from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The Norman Lockyer Observatory, the Lockyer Technology Centre, and the Planetarium (jointly NLO), is a public access optical observatory 1 mile (1.6 km) east of Sidmouth, East Devon in South West England. It houses a number of historical optical telescopes, including the Lockyer Telescope, and is operated by Norman Lockyer Observatory Society (NLOS).

History The observatory was founded by Joseph Norman Lockyer in 1912 when he retired to Sidmouth following the closure of the South Kensington Observatory, of which Lockyer was Director. Originally known as Hill Observatory, the observatory was renamed Norman Lockyer Observatory after his death in 1920. Thomazine Mary Lockyer a.k.a. "Lady Lockyer", took a strong interest in the observatory and made gifts to it. She was elected to the Royal Astronomical Society in 1923. The Observatory's historic instruments are associated with Lockyer's pioneering work on star temperature which led to theories of stellar evolution and the foundation of astrophysics. The facility was operated by the University of Exeter between 1948 and 1984. In 1984 East Devon District Council became the owner/trustee of the observatory and after a period of renovation leased it to Norman Lockyer Observatory Society (NLOS) in 1995. An exhibition area and 60-seat planetarium was added in 1996 and a 100-seat convention center for lectures and academic conferences added in 2005. The Connaught Dome, which incorporates 'Lockyer Technology Centre' (the observatory's radio astronomy facility), was opened in 2012. The observatory is staffed by volunteers, and regularly open to the public on published afternoons and evenings.

Instruments The observatory provides modern telescopes with computer enhanced imaging, maintains some of the nation's most historic astronomical instruments and enjoys a relatively dark night sky with a southerly aspect across the sea. There are five domes:

'Mond', housing the 6¼-inch Lockyer Telescope. Built in 1871, this optical refractor telescope is on a German equatorial mount. Norman Lockyer used the objective lens from this telescope to discover helium in 1868 (before the lens was used in the telescope). 'Kensington', housing the Kensington Telescope. Built in 1881 for the Solar Physics Observatory, London, this dual refractor telescope has a 10" tube for observation and 9" tube with attached prism and plate glass camera for spectroscopy. 'McClean', housing the McClean Telescope, donated to the observatory by Francis McClean in 1912. Built in 1897 by the Grubb Telescope Company, it is a dual refractor consisting of a 12" tube and attachment for a plate glass camera, and a 10" tube for observing. Associated with this telescope is the Cooke Siderostat which projects the Sun's optical spectrum and Fraunhofer absorption lines within the Dome annex. 'Connaught', housing a 20" reflector and the observatory's radio astronomy facility (Lockyer Technology Centre). 'Victoria', housing a 12" reflector. The observatory is particularly well situated for spectral analysis in astronomy, which requires a clear sky over the whole optical spectrum, as it enjoys a relatively "clean" sky to the east and south across the sea. The atmosphere is usually free of air pollution and light pollution and, as the sea has a uniform temperature, the air is also free of rising currents which can distort optical images. The observatory is active in both optical and radio astronomy and has an astro imaging group, a technology group, a meteorology and weather satellite facility and a science history group. The observatory's radio call sign is 'GB2NLO' for special events at the observatory. It cooperates with undergraduate courses of the University of Exeter, the University of Plymouth and the Open Universities, and is available for scientific and educational development projects. The observatory is home to the annual South West Astronomy Fair on the second Saturday in August. The observatory celebrated its centenary in 2012, with commemorative events throughout the year, as well as the openings of the Connaught Dome (20" reflector) and Lockyer Technology Centre by Brian May. The observatory holds a library, including glass spectral plates. An archive of Lockyer's papers is held at the University of Exeter.

Society The observatory is home to the astronomical society "Norman Lockyer Observatory Society (NLOS)", founded in 1995. It is a registered charity with the principal activities of promoting the public understanding of science, technology and astronomy and supporting science education in schools and universities. The facility is financed solely by its membership, private donations and income derived from Public Open Days. No funding is received from national or local government agencies nor does it receive ongoing grants from any organisation.

See also Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Astronomy Centre Greenwich Royal Observatory Jodrell Bank Observatory Mills Observatory, Balgay, Dundee Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux, East Sussex. Royal Observatory, Edinburgh

References

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Norman Lockyer Observatory

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Norman Lockyer Observatory claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In astronomy, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Norman Lockyer Observatory before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Norman Lockyer Observatory ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Norman Lockyer Observatory

In research: Norman Lockyer Observatory appears in astronomy research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Norman Lockyer Observatory in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Norman Lockyer Observatory is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Astronomical observatories in England, Buildings and structures in Devon, Jurassic Coast, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Norman Lockyer Observatory outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Norman Lockyer Observatory in 20 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

What is Norman Lockyer Observatory in simple terms?

Why does Norman Lockyer Observatory matter?

Because it connects several astronomy ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Norman Lockyer Observatory?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Norman Lockyer Observatory.