Mills Observatory has recorded its most successful season ever, welcoming more than 14,000 visitors since October—more than double the previous year’s total of 6,654.
The observatory, which was at risk of closure before being saved through public and financial support, has seen an overwhelming response from the community.
Leisure and Culture Dundee, which operates the facility, has hailed the achievement as a testament to the importance of the observatory to the city.
A key factor in this success has been the power of social media in raising awareness with various accounts posting about the observatory.
Dundee Culture has been partnered with Mills Observatory since October, playing a pivotal role in its promotion through engaging content, videos, and posts highlighting the observatory’s rich history and events.
Many events that were hosted this season including the likes of the Supermoon Event, Aurora Borealis and the Planet Parade, and the season will finish off with an event showcasing the partial solar eclipse which will see 40% of the moon cover the sun.
The year saw many upon many queue outside the doors of the observatory, not on a level seen since the 1969 moon landing events that were hosted at the observatory.
Speaking to Neil Henderson at The Courier, Anna Day, head of cultural services at Leisure and Culture Dundee, said:
“We are grateful to everyone who has visited us in large numbers over the winter season. We would also like to thank those who have committed extra funding to ensure that everyone has access to this valuable piece of Dundee’s heritage, as well as our team and Dundee Astronomical Society, who have made this season such a success.”
The record-breaking numbers highlight the growing interest in astronomy and the continued importance of Mills Observatory as a unique educational and cultural asset for Dundee.
Sources and further reading
How to watch rare partial solar eclipse at Dundee observatory via The Courier
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