Building work on the new observatory being built within the grounds of the Danby Lodge Centre is almost complete. Under cover of a large marquee, construction work has been underway for the last couple of months but is now at the 'fixtures and fittings' stage, as well as final landscaping.

Within a large marquee a new observatory is taking shape on grounds at Danby Lodge. 
(Click for full image)

As can be seen from pictures supplied by Lucas St John, the NYMPA commercial manager, the observatory looks fantastic, expertly crafted by specialist contractors Outsideology.  

The south/west aspect of the observatory. (Click for larger image)

Long in the planning stage, it feels quite surreal that an initial vision sketched out on a sheet of paper is now set to become reality. The facility will significantly enhance the North Yorkshire Moors National Park's capacity for Astro-tourism, attracting visitors seeking to observe the night sky from an officially recognised dark sky reserve in which Danby Lodge and the Observatory sit. 

The observatory north and west aspects. (Click for full image)

As can be seen the observatory will include a spacious presentation room connected via a wide storage passage to the observatory room which features a run-off roof design. The presentation room will be a multi-use environment that may be utilised for other activities apart from astro-tourism related ones. The whole structure blends in well with the surroundings and has a AAA energy rating, benefiting from solar tiles able to generate 3kw as well as an heat exchanger.

Inside the presentation room, finished floor covering being laid. (Click for full image) 

Instrumentation will shortly be installed, providing the state-of-the-art equipment Dark Sky event hosts, astronomical societies and others will be eager to use, affording the opportunity to host public events more frequently than is currently possible.  A full update will be provided next month