Telescope Temporarily Down

Page updated on 12th September

Despite facing several challenges in recent years such as volcanic eruptions, wildfires and the ageing of its enclosure, our telescope has remained operational. Unfortunately, a recent oil leak in the enclosure system means it must temporary close for repairs.

Rest assured, we are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible to prevent any harm to the environment and equipment. At the moment, we do not know how long it will take to complete the repairs, but we will keep you updated via the website and our social media.

We are very proud that the Liverpool Telescope has been operational for twenty years, continuously observing the sky with minimal downtime. In that time we have been able to accumulate a vast archive of observations that are available for you to access for free! Please take advantage of the archive of observations to continue to access the Universe while we fix the telescope

To use the archive, visit Go Observing, choose 'Data Archive' and search for an object. Teachers and students can also use the advanced search form to select more complex options, such as the instrument used, filters, exposure time, and sky conditions. We believe this will be particularly helpful for those taking GCSE astronomy, where these decisions are critical for obtaining the best observations.