La Societe opens new observatory
THE astronomy section of La Societe unveiled its rebuilt telescope building at its headquarters in Rue de Lorier, St Peter’s, yesterday.
The newly-named David Le Conte Astronomical Observatory, which has a roll-off roof, replaces the former building, which had to be closed in September 2020 due to structural issues.
The opening coincided with the 50th anniversary of La Societe’s astronomy section.
Section secretary Dr Jean Dean said the bigger room now meant it could be used as a teaching facility. A 55ins monitor, funded by the Guernsey Social Investment Fund, meant students could still be shown things in the event of bad weather.
She said she was grateful to Crocker Build and Norman Piette for supporting the project and to La Societe and Skipton International, who helped with funding.
Jurat Le Conte, who worked for the Smithsonian Institute and Nasa during the Apollo era, joined the astronomy section on his return to Guernsey in 1978. He died in August 2020.
His widow, Dorothy, said her husband would have been pleased that the outstanding work of La Societe and particularly its astronomy section was being celebrated.
‘Thousands of people have used the facility over the years and he would be humbled by the fact that it is now named after him,’ she said.
Dr Dean said the original structure, which was built 27 years ago from used greenhouse timbers and packing crates which had been used to ship a new Guernsey Electricity generator to the island, had served the organisation well.
‘Visitors to Guernsey from various astronomy clubs have always said how envious they are of our facilities,’ she said.
People were able to view such things as the rings on Saturn and the surfaces of the planets including Jupiter.
A public solar day was held yesterday to mark the opening, though the weather was not favourable for star gazing.
‘We would normally advertise it after checking the weather but we had to make a commitment given the observatory opening,’ said Dr Dean.
The premises were secured in 1990, since when the section has grown in strength. It was officially opened by Sir Patrick Moore in March 1993.
. Open evenings to view the stars will take place on 2, 9, 16, and 23 of September. Further details and any updates can be found at www.astronomy.org.gg
