Are you interested in the night sky? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to look at the stars, planets and the moon through some of the country's largest telescopes? Well here is your opportunity! Come and join us on our open evenings and take a glimpse of what it would have been like to use these amazing instruments. Open evenings are held on Selected Friday evenings during winter, spring and autumn. Click on the date for what you will see on specific open evenings. Normal entrance charges apply, unless otherwise stated.
| 18 January | New Year Special! £3 per person |
| 15 February | |
| 7 March | Family Open Evening. One child FREE with every paying adult. |
| 14 March | |
| 11 April | |
| 16 May (7.30pm – 11.30pm) | Moon and Planet watch Family Special. One child FREE with every paying adult. |
| 16 August | Partial Lunar Eclipse. 8pm – midnight (SATURDAY) |
| 5/6 September | Part of 2008 Astronomy Festival |
| 10 October | |
| 7 November | |
| 12 December | Geminids Meteor Shower |
Because viewing is subject to weather conditions please phone the centre in advance to check. If the weather does not permit viewing and there are no visitors in the centre before 8pm, open evenings will be cancelled.
Please note that some of the telescopes used on open evenings are not available to the public during the day and are only accessible by narrow steep stairs – please contact the centre for further details if required.
| 5/12/19 March | Three week course – Spring Star Search |
| 2/9/16/23 June | Four Week course – Radio Astronomy |
| 9/16/23 September | Three week course – Autumn Star Search |
| 17 September to 10 December | Twelve week course – Astronomy and Space for beginners |