European Robotic and Astronomical Observatory

I was reading Astronomy & Space yesterday and it said that the Cork branch of astronomy Ireland would be talking about the new European Robotic and Astronomical Observatory at Blackrock castle in Cork.

WHAT???
Has anybody else heard about this observatory?

It also said it would be opened this year sometime.

Brian,

There is a full report of it in the November 2004 issue of A&S.

Can't wait to use the facility!

Spaceboy

I do not have that issue, what did it say?

Brian,

The renovation of Blackrock Castle on the Lee includes two telescopes. One is optical and the other is radio.

The optical scope will be placed in a dome atop the highest of the castle's two towers while the radio scope will be placed on the roof of the gallery room. There is a control room for the two and also ancillary offices as well. The entire facility will also be electronically linked to the outside world for remote observations and so on. The projects educational aspects will be administered by the Cork institute of technology.

An astronomical exhibition and a planetarium is also planned for the site as well.

Spaceboy

This sounds cool, I wust pay it a visit sometime.

Cool :!:
Do you know if it is being built or about to be built?I might go down there next weekend if it is started.

Any idea what size the telescopes are?

Also any idea of an opening date?