
Family Evenings
5.30pm-9.30pm: Join us for a fabulous family afternoon/early evening event. Enjoy all the exhibits indoors and outside and immerse yourself in an 'out of this world' experience in a fantastic planetarium show.
Next Date: 28th May 2025
Stargazing Evenings
Come and enjoy the fabulous atmosphere that surrounds the Observatory at night and, weather permitting look through some of the largest telescopes in the country at some extraordinary night sky objects. Don't worry if it is cloudy we have a cloudy night contingency.
Next Date: 8th August 2025
Perseids Shooting Stars
9 August 2025. As Earth passes through the debris trail left behind by comet Swift-Tuttle, particles of space dust enter the atmosphere leaving a trail of light behind; a shooting star. Join us for an informative talk to learn more about this fascinating yearly event. If the weather is good you will also have the opportunity to view through the historic telescopes. ADULTS ONLY
Next Date: 9th August 2025
Astronomy Festival
August 29,30 & 31 2025: Whether just for a day or for the whole weekend come and join us and soak up the fantastic atmosphere of our fabulous Science Centre and Observatory. Lots of fun for families and keen astronomers alike!
Next Date: 29th August 2025
Adults Exclusive Stargazing & Planetarium Experience
March 22 & September 20 2025: Reserved exclusively for adults only, these Stargazing Evenings include an opportunity to experience a fantastic planetarium presentation. Weather permitting you will also be able to look through some of the largest telescopes in the country and translate what you see in the planetarium onto the night sky.
Next Date: 20th September 2025
Night Sky Photography
This course will be teaching practical aspects of night sky photography through lectures and demonstrations. You do not need to bring cameras, tripods or telescopes just listen and learn and take away all the essential information you will need to start you on your fascinating journey into night sky photography. Spring and Autumn dates are available.
Next Date: 21st September 2025
Star Search Course
A fantastic opportunity to learn how to navigate your way around the night sky using the constellations as your guide. Taught in one of our domes under the backdrop of a historic telescope and outside under the stars, you will learn how to recognise star patterns and find out more about the mythologies behind them. Spring and Autumn dates are available.
Next Date: 13th October 2025
Telescope Clinic for Adults
This course is a mix of classroom based teaching in one of the domes and practical hands-on teaching outdoors so you can learn how to use your telescope. Members of local Astronomy Societies will guide you through setting up your telescope and getting the best out of it. Weather permitting they will also start you on your way to viewing the night sky. Spring and Autumn dates available.
Next Date: 26th October 2025
The Wider Universe
This 4 week course is above beginner level and is aimed at those with an understanding of the basics in astronomy. It will take a more in depth look at stars and galaxies, introduce you to cosmology and give you an understanding of where we are in the Wider Universe.
Next Date: 4th November 2025
Winter Comets and Curry
15th November 2025. The debris left behind by the comet Tempel-Tuttle gives rise to the Leonids meteor shower and the debris trail left behind by comet Encke gives rise to the Taurid meteor shower. Join us for a warming curry and informative talk before heading out to try and spot some meteors (shooting stars). If the weather is good you will also have an opportunity to look through an historic telescope; we have some of the largest working telescopes in the country. ADULTS ONLY
Next Date: 15th November 2025