The Alexander Observatory

The Alexander Observatory is a Grade II listed building made of red brick with white stone dressings and topped with a copper surfaced dome. It is circular in shape, measuring 7 meters in diameter, and features 11 brick panels along with an entrance that has a stone lintel.

The exterior includes a four-step entrance flanked by curving walls that have stone copings, each ending with a ball finial. The dome can rotate and open, with both functions operated by a pulley and rope system. A commemorative plaque on the side of the building states, "Presented to the Aldershot Army Corps by Patrick Y Alexander Esq 1906."

Inside, the observatory houses an astronomical refracting telescope, which has an 8-inch object lens with a focal ratio of F:12. This telescope, constructed by Howard Grubb of Dublin in 1891, is mounted on a gunmetal German-type equatorial mount and includes all the standard fittings for professional use. It features a clock drive that allows the telescope to stay aligned with the Earth's rotation for about two hours without rewinding and has an adjustable drive rate. The telescope is equipped with slow motions for declination and Right Ascension, which are the celestial equivalents of geographic latitude and longitude. The large declination and RA circles include a reading telescope for one vernier. The eyepiece fitting can magnify up to 500X and is rotatable, featuring a Position Angle circle and vernier for precise positional measurements.