Huge queues reported at Mills Observatory as tickets for the start of the 90th season begin to sell out

Kay Ross captured the dome under a light cloudy sky on the pre-opening night

Mills Observatory has seen an overwhelming turnout ahead of its landmark 90th season, with reports of long queues forming outside the Dundee landmark last night.

The rush came during a special one-off event, Summer Stars at Mills Observatory (19 September), where visitors were invited to look out for Saturn, Neptune and the famous Summer Triangle of bright stars Vega, Altair and Deneb.

Optimal viewing was expected after 10pm, though those who came earlier enjoyed a mix of telescope sessions and engaging talks inside the lecture room.

One commenter on Dundee Culture wrote

“Long queues, queuing well over an hour yet and still not near to getting in, but definitely to be expected”

Another commented:

“What a brilliant turnout for the opening night of Mills Observatory. They can't plan the weather, such is life with stargazing, it's a hit or miss.

Queues were long but not their fault, a great wee place for all ages and a free place to go with kids.”

Ticketing will aim to combat long queues

Looking ahead to the new season, which officially begins on Tuesday 1 October, a ticketing system will be in place to help manage demand and avoid lengthy queues.

Visitors must pre-book their slots for the dome, with each ticket providing a 30-minute session exploring the night sky.

Demand has already been exceptionally strong. Saturday 4 October is now completely sold out, while evenings such as Friday 3 October and Friday 10 October are close to full. Other dates, including 1, 2 and 6 October, have limited slots remaining.

By contrast, Tuesday 7 October and Wednesday 8 October are still fully available at the time of writing, offering the best chance for those who’ve yet to secure a ticket.

Organisers are urging people to book early to avoid missing out on what promises to be a milestone 90th season.

Tickets are available to purchase now for FREE at Eventbrite.

With such a strong start to the season, it’s clear that Mills Observatory continues to inspire and excite stargazers of all ages in Dundee and beyond.