QEHS students will be looking to the heavens, thanks to their successful application for a telescope.

To celebrate the International Year of Astronomy, the Society for Popular Astronomy arranged the distribution of 1000 telescopes to give to secondary schools to help inspire young people with the wonders of the night sky. The funding for the telescopes was provided by the Science and Technology Facilities Council and the Royal Astronomical Society.

Gary Fildes, Director of the Kielder Observatory, visited QEHS to show students how to use the telescope which is a 70mm refractor and is equipped with a tripod and several eyepieces.

QEHS Physics teacher Tricia Gill said "We plan to use the telescope in the Science and Engineering club, as well as with GCSE and A Level students, and we hope to link up with the Kielder Observatory. One big event will be participating in the Schools MoonWatch between 19th and 29th November which will be an ideal time when the evenings get dark early to observe mountains, craters and 'seas' on the moon's surface right after school. This is a new opportunity for the school and we hope that many students and parents will get involved."

Gary Fildes added "These instruments are fundamental to engaging with students and the universe in which they live. Even the most modest of telescope can deliver spectacular views for the observer. It is my hope that this type of interaction can stimulate minds and imagination making the cosmos a fun and enjoyable place to visit. It is 400 years since Galileo turned his 'telescope' skyward and observed the Moon and Jupiter; hopefully students will feel the awe and wonder that I am sure Galileo did all of those years ago and maybe in the future make discoveries of their own. We are very hopeful that the Kielder Observatory, situated in the Kielder Water and Forest Park, will become an integral part of astronomy outreach in the area for students and adults alike."

Famed for having the darkest night skies in England thanks to minimal light pollution, Kielder Water and Forest Park is a star gazer's heaven. We hope our new telescope inspires students to take advantage of this opportunity.