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Events at the Dark Sky Observatory
We offer a wide choice of events at our Dark Sky Observatory, tailored for all levels of expertise and interests.
Special Events
Alongside our regular experience days, we’re marking some of the key dates in the calendar with special one-off events.
Neptune at Opposition
The distant and cold ice giant planet Neptune is at it's closest to Earth tonight and will be as big and bright as it ge...
Mars at Opposition
Mars will be at it's closest to Earth tonight - observe it through our telescopes & hold a piece of Mars in the palm...
Uranus at Opposition
The distant and cold ice giant planet Uranus is at it's closest to Earth tonight and will be as big and bright as it get...
Rare Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
A Rare Great Conjunction is when the planets Jupiter and Saturn line up, and it happens roughly once every twenty years.
Beginners
If you're new to stargazing then these are events are the perfect introduction for you & your family.
Astronomy for Absolute Beginners
The basics for a night's stargazing; finding your way around the stars, apps to use & things to hunt for.
General Stargazing
Our general stargazing nights will show you the most interesting wonders of the night sky.
Dark Sky Discovery
Stargazing under truly dark skies, gaze in wonder at the Milky Way & the universe beyond, see nebulae, star clusters...
Summer Stargazing
The nights are still full of stargazing fun, we'll be hunting NLCs, summer double stars and you might catch a daytime Bl...
Stargazing & Moonwatch
Marvel at the magnificent moon & go stargazing from our Official Dark Sky Discovery Observatory Site.
Specific Subjects
Our events focused on a specific subject give you a deeper understanding of exciting features of the night sky.
Aurora Hunting
Explore the the ethereal Northern Lights, discover how to predict them and where to go to see them.
Get to Know Your Telescope
Bring your own telescope to get some advice and practical help from our expert astronomers.
Astrophotography
Join our expert astrophotographer to unlock the secrets of photographing the night sky.
Deep Sky AstroPhotography, An Introduction
Learn to photograph distant galaxies, nebulae and star clusters, with our professional dark sky astrophotographer. ...
NightScape Photography
Learn the first steps in taking pictures of the night sky. Whether you're a beginner starting out as a nightscape photog...
Food Under the Stars
Combine your stargazing with a meal from Battlesteads award winning restaurant.
Shooting Star Supper
Discover the origins of a shooting star whilst enjoying a tasty supper from Battlesteads restaurant.
Others
Hire the observatory for your own private event, be it a party, tution or just some private stargazing.
Private Party
The observatory can be hired for you to use privately for many occasions or just for private stargazing and tuition.
We also host many more special events throughout the year – eclipses, spaceship launches and landings, transits, solar observing, Space Station and Satellite Spotting.
On a selection of Mondays throughout the year the observatory will be open and available for FREE for Astronomical Society Members and local residents. The observatory can be booked for private parties in its entirety OR you can book one of the powered outside AstroBerths.
Advanced booking is essential.
Stay Connected
Dark Sky Observatory Vouchers
Find Out More about Observatory VouchersDownload Dark Sky Discovery Stargazing Guide
