Welcome to The Observatory Science Centre

Spectacular Science

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.

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.

Tuesday 25 October: Half day workshops for ages 6-8 years (morning) and 9-11 years (afternoon). Oh no a crime has been committed and we need your help to assist with an investigation!

Wednesday 26 October 2022: Twilight workshop for 9-11 years. What makes volcanoes blow, the Earth quake and the icecaps melt? What is in space and how do we know? This workshops looks at our dynamic Earth and how we look beyond Earth into space using a telescope. If the weather is clear we may even get to look at the magnificent planets Saturn and Jupiter.

12th November 2022. 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.

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.