Kielder Observatory has installed a new telescope which will boost space tourism in the North and make distance learning about the Universe possible.

The five-meter diameter Spider 500 radio telescope has been installed at the observatory set in the Kielder forest.

The telescope was delivered last May but due to the pandemic it was unable to be installed, that and the fact that the installation crew had to be brought over from Italy.

This installation was mostly funded by The Tanlaw Foundation and Northumberland County Council.

The Tanlaw Foundation will use the telescope to reach a wider, hitherto excluded audience to observe the universe and create distance learning in astronomy, data science and astrobiology.

Director of astronomy and science communication, Dan Pye said: "It's a different type of astronomy to what we are used to, we are a visible observatory looking at visible light.

"Radio astronomy is different as it is focusing on radio waves which is invisible to the human eye."

This is a very exciting time for the observatory as radio astronomy was responsible for the discovery of the big bang theory and, as it detects radio waves coming from space, it is weatherproof, which means observers are not reliant on clear skies.

Catherine Johns, CEO of Kielder Observatory, said the move into radio astronomy would allow Kielder to contribute to worldwide scientific research and attract university research into Northumberland as well as developing its remote outreach activities. It could also boost tourism in and around Northumberland by approximately £150,000 per year.

She said: “This investment will make a dramatic difference in our offering as it means people will be able to access the observatory remotely. A school child in Sunderland or Darlington, for example, will be able to experience Kielder without stepping foot here.

“We can use it for citizen science projects and engage a wide variety of audiences in STEM, inspiring and illuminating career pathways and providing student placements and apprenticeship opportunities. It’s an exciting time in the history of Kielder.”