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2009 astronomy festival

September 11th, 12th & 13th
Main event days – 12th & 13th September

Sponsors

Browse Laura's 2008 Astronomy Festival Photographs 
or view them as a slideshow

festival picture 1

 The annual Herstmonceux Astronomy Festival is an extremely successful weekend and we are again proud to present another exciting weekend for 2009. Come and soak up the incredible atmosphere that surrounds this event. The weather in 2008 was not kind but despite this everyone had a great time and there is so much to see and do.
 

Camping

Friday, Saturday and Sunday at £10 per night.
This allows up to 4 people per site. There are a limited number of sites so BOOK EARLY!
 
Small camper vans and caravans are very welcome but the size of the pitch is restricted. Please contact the centre for further details.

 Festival 2 

  
Proposed programme includes:*

Friday 11th September (6.30pm – 11pm)

Viewing (telescopes not open to the public during the day will be open for evening viewing sessions),
Tours of the telescopes,
Amateur Radio,
Visits to the Space Geodesy Facility.

Saturday 12th September (10am - 6 pm)

5 lectures throughout the day (extra cost of £2 per lecture)
Talks about the Telescopes
Tours around the Space Geodesy Facility
Amateur Radio demonstrations throughout the day
Informal talks by the BBC Sky at Night Team
Raffle drawn at 5pm (be in it to win it!)

  Festival 3
 

Saturday 12th September (6.30pm - 11pm)                                                                               

 Viewing, tours of the telescopes,
Amateur Radio,
Visits to the Space Geodesy Facility,
Terry’s spectacular prize winning quiz     

Festival 4 

Sunday 13th September (10am – 6pm)

Family activities
Talks about the Telescopes
Informal talks by the BBC Sky at Night Team                     
Raffle drawn at 4pm (be in it to win it!)

 Festival 5 

There will be trade stalls and astronomy societies in attendance throughout the whole weekend. A raffle will be drawn on both main event days with fabulous prizes donated by our sponsors – among the prizes in 2008 were some fabulous telescopes, binoculars, signed books, magazines, Sir Patrick Moore memorabilia and more! We would especially like to thank Chris Morrison, the International Business Manager for Meade Instruments  who very generously donated some fabulous eyepieces, eyepiece sets and mySKYTM
 
In 2008 we were very fortunate to again welcome Sir Patrick Moore back to the Observatory. His programmed talk on the Sunday was so well received that many people were unable to fit into the telescope dome where his lecture took place. So that he did not disappoint anybody Sir Patrick repeated his talk and catching the comments as people left everyone was absolutely delighted. We were again joined by the Storm Troopers on the Sunday with Darth Vader making an awesome entry! We hope to welcome them back again this year.
 
The beer tent will make a welcome return and other refreshments and food will be available from the centre’s own cafeteria and an extra refreshment stand.		  Festival 8
 Festival 6
   
The centre is in the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle which is well worth a visit during your stay..
 

Visits to individual sessions

Friday evening 6.30pm - 11pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Saturday evening 6.30pm - 11pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

NO BOOKING REQUIRED see normal entrance fees

Alternatively register for the whole weekend  (**NO PRICE INCREASE**)
Adult:  £30
Senior: £23
Child:  £20
A souvenir, ticket to visit the gardens and grounds of Herstmonceux Castle and a lanyard which permits entry into the Centre from Friday afternoon until 6pm on Sunday are included in the price. 
THIS CAN BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE.
Members admitted FREE to the individual sessions
Entry to the gardens and grounds of the castle:  Adult:  £6.00, Senior:  £4.95, Child:  £3.00

*Subject to change, please contact the centre for further details