SPONSORED: Don’t miss the Herstmonceux Astronomy Festival!
To be held in early September, you can now book your slot for a weekend full of stargazing
The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux. Image credit: Observatory Science Centre
Now in its 13th year, the family-friendly Herstmonceux Astronomy Festival is the major fund raising event for the preservation of the famous telescopes and domes located on the picturesque gardens and grounds of Herstmonceux Castle. Check out the activities you’ll be enjoying below:
Friday (2.30pm – 11pm)
• FREE late afternoon screening of a Sci-Fi classic
• FREE opening lecture time to be confirmed
• Viewing through the historic telescopes (weather permitting)
• Viewing through smaller telescopes with amateur astronomy societies (weather permitting)
Saturday Day (10am – 6pm)
• Four lectures throughout the day (Speaker list can be found here)
• Talks about the telescopes in Dome E
• Planetarium shows
• Trade stands
• Astronomy Society stands
• Newton’s Bar
• Solar Observing
• Family Robot Workshops
• Raffle
Saturday Evening (6.30pm – 11pm)
• 8pm Astro Bingo with Steve Collingwood (SCTelescopes)
• Viewing through the historic telescopes (weather permitting)
• Viewing through smaller telescopes with amateur astronomy societies (weather permitting)
Sunday (10am – 6pm)
• Three lectures throughout the day (£3 per person per lecture*) SPEAKER LIST
• Talks about the telescopes in Dome E
• Planetarium shows
• Family Robot workshop
• Trade stands
• Astronomy Society stands
• Newton’s Bar
• Solar Observing
All this PLUS Spectacular Science exhibits both indoors and outdoors.
For a bargain price of £30 per pitch for up to five people, regardless of the number of nights you stay on the Herstmonceux grounds, you can camp under the backdrop of the observatory domes, whilst the likes of the constellations of Aquila, Capricornus and Cygnus offer a deluge of night-sky sights for astronomers wishing to tour the universe with binoculars, telescopes or even the naked eye.
If camping is not for you, then why not book a room within Bader Hall? Located within a 600-arce estate, 3-star rated accommodation is offered with Herstmonceux Castle a mere 500 metres walk away and where breakfast is served in the dining room.
With your weekend registration you will receive a souvenir, a ticket to visit the gardens and grounds of Herstmonceux Castle and a wrist band which permits entry into The Centre from 2.30 pm Friday afternoon until 6pm on Sunday.
Registration is now open plus camping pitches are also available here. For more details and updates, head on over to The Observatory Science Centre.