Welcome to The Observatory Science Centre

Spectacular Science

4.30pm-8.30pm: 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. Admission price includes a portion of fries!

2nd August - Half day workshops for either ages 6-8 years or 9-11 years. How does such a huge rocket actually get off the ground? Why does it "break up" and where do the astronauts sit? Come and find out in this fascinating and fabulously fun workshop and you even get to build and launch your own water rocket.

3 August: Half day workshop for either ages 6 - 8 years or 9-11 years. What does it take to become an astronaut? We will investigate with some exciting activities to discover the challenges faced when reaching space.

9th August - half day workshops for either ages 6-8 years or 9-11 years. There are some weird creatures here on Earth. They live in all sorts of strange places where humans would not survive. Could there be life beyond Earth? Would it be the same? Let's try and find out if it's possible.

24 August: We see our beautiful planet in millions of colours. Join us in a journey of discovery through experiments and science fun to observe how eyes can see in different ways and why. 

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.

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.

16th August - full day workshop for 6-8 years old. Find out what makes things fizz, bang and pop in some crazy chemistry experiments. It's full on fun and you get to try the experiments yourself as well as watching some pretty spectacular demonstrations.

17th August - Full day workshop for 9-11 years old. Chemistry is definitely fun, especially when trying to find out what goes with a bang! Come and try some fabulous chemistry experiments and see some spectacular demonstrations.

23rd August - half day workshops for 6-8 years old: How many planets are in our solar system? Are they all the same? What makes Earth look so blue and Mars look so red? Come and find out about the planets with some amazing activities, then design and make a spacecraft to land an egg safely on the surface of another planet like Mars. You never know astronauts may go there one day.

24 August: The body is amazing! From your brain to your big toe there is so much stuff packed in that keeps us alive. How does it all work together? Come and find out on this journey from your head to your heels and all the bits in between.

September 2-4: The Astronomy Festival is back in full for 2022! Whether 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!

15 September to 6 October: This 4 week course will introduce you to the Solar System including the Sun, Earth, Moon, planets (including their moons) and other minor bodies. The course is suitable for those with a basic understanding of science but little or no knowledge of the subject is required.

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.

This new 4 week course is just above beginner level, aimed at those with a basic understanding of astronomy. It will go beyond our Solar System and introduce you to stars, galaxies and cosmology.

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.

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.