Welcome to The Observatory Science Centre

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.

The 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 East Sussex Astronomical Society 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.

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.

13th March 2022. The course is a mix of classroom based teaching in one of the domes and practical hands-on teaching outdoors so you can learn as a family how to use your telescope. Members of East Sussex Astronomical Society 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.

March 26 2022: Reserved exclusively for adults only, this Stargazing Evening includes an opportunity to experience a presentation in our fantastic inflatable planetarium. Weather permitting you will 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.

April 23 2022. The debris left behind by the comet Thatcher gives rise to the April Lyrids 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 the historic telescopes, some of the largest working telescopes in the country.

2 July 2022: 'Herschel to Hawkwind'. This evening is dedicated to music and space. It will include a talk by Space Rock Bassist and astronomer, Peter Williamson, a sing song and Pete playing Bass at the end.

13th August 2022. 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.

12th November 2022. The debris left behind by the comet Tempel-Tuttle gives rise to the Leonids 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.