The University of Aberdeen has unveiled its new astronomy observatory inside the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens.
The Anne H Cruickshank Observatory is a “pioneer in AI technology”, according to Cruickshank Lecturer of Astronomy at the university, Dr Charles Wang. It is one of the first observatories at a UK university to be entirely run using AI, with its AI capabilities allowing the telescope and observatory roof to be operated using voice commands.
The university hopes the facility will “extend and enhance the University’s astrophysical teaching and research.”
Dr Wang, who led the creation of the facility, gave The Gaudie exclusive access to the new building ahead of its official opening last week.
During the tour, Dr Wang demonstrated how the facility could be operated from a simple prompt in a computer.
The observatory, designed to blend into the gardens as a shed, contains a 16-inch John Smith Cruickshank telescope and a sliding roof that retracts automatically following an AI command.
Dr Wang told The Gaudie: “the students are who we want to benefit the most.” He also outlined the facility’s cross-disciplinary potential, saying it is not intended solely for use by physics students.
He highlighted the ease of use of the new technology, saying: “Cruickshank Observatory is unique in being fully AI controlled. Both the roof and telescope can be operated using AI voice controls,
“You can look at a sky chart and simply ask it to point to an object you want to see – for example, ‘point the telescope to the star Sirius’.
“The system can also suggest what would be interesting to observe under the conditions at that particular time.”
The possibility for increased research possibilities with the advanced long-range technology was also demonstrated by Dr Wang. He showed The Gaudie the first photo taken with the observatory of a nebula approximately 1,360 light-years away.
Throughout the tour, Dr Wang noted the amount of DIY work that was done to the observatory. “I am not just a theoretical physicist, but hands-on too.”
“I have gone to B&Q almost every week over the last few months to get new parts,” he added.
He attributed the project’s success to winning over the Aberdeen University Estates team, the department in charge of all university properties.
Dr Wang noted that the original plan had been to renovate the Cromwell Tower observatory through the King’s College Redevelopment Project, before that was scrapped over funding concerns in 2023.
“I asked, how about building a new one?” he said, after being told that the Cromwell Tower would not be redeveloped.
“It was a switch in the conversation, I expected her to say no. But she didn’t.”
The legacy of astronomy at the university dates back more than 400 years, with the Cromwell Tower Observatory dating back to 1826. Located in the Cromwell Tower in the Kings College Building, the observatory fell into disrepair in the early 2000s.
Now, on the 30th of September, the university is celebrating its 200-year anniversary of the Cromwell Tower with the opening of the Anne H Cruickshank Observatory.
The Observatory will be used for interdisciplinary work, as well as for providing members of the Aberdeen University community, local schools, and members of the public with opportunities to engage with astronomy.
