94% of secondary school pupils take part in cultural, sporting and leisure activities outwith the school curriculum 
Annual report 2006/2007 Coats Observatory
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Coats Observatory is a unique attraction, housing astronomical equipment and displays, weather and earthquake recording equipment.
Gifted to the people of Paisley by Thomas Coats and designed by Glasgow Architect John Honeyman the building opened in 1883 and has been welcoming everyone with an interest in astronomy ever since. The observatory also has a planetarium which gives visitors a tour of the night sky without having to leave the comfort of their chair.
Gifted to the people of Paisley by Thomas Coats and designed by Glasgow Architect John Honeyman the building opened in 1883 and has been welcoming everyone with an interest in astronomy ever since. The observatory also has a planetarium which gives visitors a tour of the night sky without having to leave the comfort of their chair.
Access - please note that the nature of the listed building means it is unsuitable for those with mobility problems.
We want our visitors to benefit from the full visitor experience at Paisley Museum, including Coats Observatory. Access to the Observatory is therefore via the main museum building accessed from High Street, except on winter viewing nights, when access is via the Observatory entrance on Oakshaw Street West.
Wonders of the night sky
During the winter months the observatory is open for night sky telescope viewing (weather dependant), these are free and there is no need to book.
On clear nights the telescope is trained on the moon, the planets and other interesting sights in the sky.
If the weather is poor
Telescope viewings, whether night sky or solar, are dependant on having clear skies and low wind. In the event that scheduled telescope viewings can't go ahead for this reason, alternatives like planetarium shows will be arranged.
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Getting there
The venue is easily accessible via public transport, and is only a five minute walk from Paisley Gilmour Street Station, just ten minutes by regular rail service from Glasgow Central Station.
You can plan your journey simply by using the Traveline Scotland website
Open hours
Admission to Coats Observatory is free
- Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm (closed for lunch 1pm - 2pm)
- Sunday 2pm - 5pm
- Viewing evenings (28 October 2008 - 28 March 2009) 6.30pm-9.30pm (last entry 8.45pm)
- Solar viewings (June - September) 2pm - 4pm
- email: ram.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- phone: 0141 889 2013 (Coats Observatory)
- visit: 49 Oakshaw Street West, Paisley, PA1 2DE
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