The Busby - Braden Observatory
A community observatory to inspire creativity and storytelling, to spark wonder and curiosity, and to encourage people of all ages to look up!
The project has been gifted an observatory and two deep-sky telescopes in honour of the late Robert Busby and Phil Braden. The observatory has been dedicated as the ‘Arsyllfa Busby-Braden Observatory’ in honour of the two amateur astronomers who had a shared curiosity for that which is unknown.
Working in conjunction with local star-gazing enthusiasts, the Anglesey Astronomical Society and the Anglesey & Eryri Dark Skies team, we are embarking on a series of events and projects inspired by our dark skies.
Interested in joining our future events?
have an idea? a question?
please get in touch with jonathan@plasbodfa.com
This project has been supported by the
Sustainable Development Fund,
a Welsh Government initiative in the Isle of Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)’.
A Community Observatory…What’s that?
Help us find out! We are gathering ideas and interest.
We are recruiting local ‘Scope Hosts’
These are individuals interested in hosting stargazers at Plas Bodfa.
They will receive telescope training and a health & safety briefing. They will meet (and hopefully become part of) our project working group. Also they can form their own star gazing groups if they wish.
Scope Host
Expression of Interest
I have a project, I have an idea!
We’d love to hear it. The ‘Busby-Braden Observatory’ has been dedicated and is ready to invite individuals and groups, questions and quests, and projects of all sorts.
Community Telescope
Ideas and interests
Community Star Gazing Events at Plas Bodfa
We are partners with Anglesey Astronomical Society and frequently co-host events with them, including as a host location for the Welsh Dark Skies Week, in February of each year.
Upcoming Star Gazing events at Plas Bodfa
Previous Star Gazing events at Plas Bodfa
Meet the Scopes
The Braden
The big one. This Meade LX200 10" Schmidt-Cassegrain is permanently installed in our Observatory here at Plas Bodfa. It’s primarily setup as planetary scope. It is big, it is easy for visual observations, its for you to explore the sky. Grab a hold and find a planet, see the moon, see the different colours of the stars.
The Busby
The smaller sibling of the LX200. This Meade LX90 can be positioned anywhere on site and is setup for safe solar observing and sometimes can also be tempted to look at the moon.
The Dedication of the ‘Arsyllfa Busby-Braden Observatory’
The ‘Arsyllfa Busby – Braden Observatory’ was dedicated on the 19th of January 2025, ready to welcome new generations of curious stargazers. We were joined by a full house of stars and planets, locals and special guests, under a truly dark and dazzling sky.
Debbie Braden and her two daughters were there to see the deep-sky telescope of the late Phil Braden installed inside if its new observatory home. The rotating observatory, gifted by the Busby family in honour of the late Robert Busby, has been fully renovated by the Seiriol Men’s Shed and is now installed in its new home at Plas Bodfa.
Gavin Malone and Dani Robertson were in attendance to give us an insight into the highlights of the current night sky, representing the Anglesey Astronomical Society and Project Nos / The Dark Skies Partnership respectively. Both are partners in the project.
We were honoured to host Alun Owen of Anglesey County Council’s AONB team, for without their support and funding, this would have been possible.
Charles Gershom brought his love of Welsh folk tales, storytelling and his telescope repairing skills into the mix with a beautiful story of Taurus – Y Tarw.
The Renovation of the Observatory
Our observatory was hand-built by the late Robert Busby, and was gifted to this project by his family. It was renovated and refurbished by the Seiriol Men’s Shed and many dedicated volunteers. Special thanks to Steve Jones for his dedication, knowledge and careful attention throughout this process.
