The Royal Observatory Edinburgh has a long history dating back to 1786 when the first Chair of Astronomy was established at the University. It is now one of the UK’s major centres of astronomical research.
As well as being a historic site, the Royal Observatory Edinburgh is a working observatory that houses more than 200 staff and students. It encompasses two organisations: the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC), which includes the Higgs Centre for Innovation, and the Institute for Astronomy (IfA). The UK ATC is part of UK Research and Innovation, and the IfA is part of the University of Edinburgh.
Engineers at the UK ATC design extremely sensitive cameras and other instruments for many of the world’s best telescopes and for the big telescopes of the future. They are also finding innovative ways of using this technological expertise in fields outside of astronomy, including earth observation and medicine.
The scientists’ research at the IfA tackles many of the big questions in astronomy, including the search for life-bearing planets and studying the oldest and most distant objects in our universe.
The observatory is only accessible to the public during “Astronomy for All” talks and their “Night at the Observatory” events, both of which must be booked online and in advance.
Location events organiser
Royal Observatory Edinburgh organises events at this location
Please contact Royal Observatory Edinburgh directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location
Email: [email protected]
Website: Royal Observatory Edinburgh
Twitter: @RoyalObs
Weather forecast
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01/06/26
17° 78% -
01/06/26
17° 81% -
01/06/26
16° 54% -
02/06/26
16° 49%
Weather forecast for Edinburgh (2.1 miles away) updated 01/06/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.
Local light pollution
Royal Observatory Edinburgh is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to an urban location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite. For more advanced light pollution data, view this location on DarkSkySites.
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Dark site
The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.
Best time to visit
The below chart shows when the skies will be at their darkest at this location and therefore the best time to visit. Moonlight is shown in light yellow and the Sun's twilight in light blue. Midnight on the date shown is shown as a white line with sunset to the left and sunrise the next morning to the right. A black background with stars shows the best times for stargazing. See our dark sky calendar for more details.
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Find more dates
If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!
Calendar