West Lothian technician helps to shape the future of astronomy with work on 'most complex instruments ever built'

A West Lothian man is helping shape the future of astronomy with his work on one of the most complex stargazing instruments ever built.

Lee Chapman, from Polbeth near West Calder, is a project technician at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC).

Working from the UK ATC’s main lab at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, Lee has been part of the team building the MOONS instrument over the past decade.

Lee Chapman, from Polbeth in West Lothian, has helped to make one of the largest and most complex astronomy instruments ever created. | UK Astronomy Technology Centre

Scientists hope that the MOONS instrument, once operational later this month, will pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries by allowing the capture of light from 1,000 celestial objects at the same time.

The MOONs project was completed in December 2025 and the instrument has made a 7,000-mile journey to Chile where it will be integrated into the European Southern Observatory‘s Very Large Telescope (VLT).

Lee said: “It’s surreal to think that something I helped build in Edinburgh will be part of a such a powerful telescope, sitting on a mountaintop in the Atacama Desert.

Lee Chapman, from Polbeth in West Lothian, first started as an apprentice at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre in 2011 | UK Astronomy Technology Centre

“Growing up in West Lothian, I never imagined I’d be working on something that could help answer some of the biggest questions in science.”

The 33-year-old first started as an apprentice at the UK ATC in 2011.

As part of the MOONS project, he has made multiple trips to Chile to ensure that the instrument is installed correctly.

Lee's work at UK ATC has seen him travel to Chile to help with the installation of the MOONS instrument. | UK Astronomy Technology Centre

Lee said: “I’m part of the team who turn scientists’ and astronomers’ ideas into reality.

“There are still some technical challenges to come, pairing the instrument with the VLT is an intricate process.

“These instruments are pushing the limits of what’s possible, but that’s what makes it exciting. As we attempt to answer more complicated questions about the origins of the Universe the instruments invariably become more complicated to match.”

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Encouraging others to pursue an interest in science, Lee added: “I hope young people in Scotland see this and think: ‘That could be me.’

“You don’t have to leave home to work on world-class science – it can start right here.”

Professor Christophe Dumas, Director at the UK ATC, said: “We’re proud to have world-class experts working on global projects, particularly those that showcase Scottish talent and expertise.

“Stories like this show young people in Scotland that there’s a place for them in space science, technology, engineering and astronomy.”