
Astronaut Academy
Tuesday 4 April 2023: 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.
Next Date: 4th April 2023
Rocket Science
Wednesday 5 April 2023: 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.
Next Date: 5th April 2023
Fun with Chemistry
Tuesday 11th April 2023 - half day workshop for ages 6-8 years. What is chemistry? It’s exciting, fascinating and above all great fun. We will be experimenting with solids, liquids and gases and while the workshop is designed so the children can carry out the experiments themselves, there will be demonstrations too. Join us and try some seriously fun experiments!
Next Date: 11th April 2023
Discover Chemistry
Wednesday 12th April 2023: Half day workshops for ages 9-11 years. With exciting experiments to try yourself, these fun-filled workshops will help you discover just how cool chemistry can be. We will be experimenting with solids, liquids and gases and finding out just what happens when different chemicals mix.
Next Date: 12th April 2023
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: 21st April 2023
Lyrids Shooting Stars
April 22 2023. The debris left behind by the comet Thatcher gives rise to the April Lyrids meteor shower which actually peaks on the evening of 22 April! Join us for an informative talk and some meteor (shooting stars) spotting. 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.
Next Date: 22nd April 2023
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. Admission price includes a portion of fries!
Next Date: 20th May 2023
Perseids Shooting Stars
12 August 2023. 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.
Next Date: 12th August 2023
Astronomy Festival
September 1-3 2023: 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: 1st September 2023
Night Sky Photography
24 September 2023. 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. Image courtesy of John Fox.
Next Date: 24th September 2023
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.
Next Date: 16th October 2023
Back to Basics Astronomy: a practical approach
This 4 week course is a basic introduction to astronomy. It is aimed at beginners and approaches the subject in a practical way; helping you visualise the wonders of our solar system and beyond.
Next Date: 9th November 2023
Telescope Clinic for Adults 2023
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.
Next Date: 12th November 2023
Leonids Shooting Stars
18th November 2023. 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.
Next Date: 18th November 2023