Themed Evenings

Perseids Shooting Star Supper - August 14th

The evening will begin with a selection of cheeses and wine. This will be followed by an informative talk about meteor showers with our guest speaker Pete Lawrence. Pete is an astronomer who not only writes for the Sky At Night Magazine but regularly appears as a co-presenter on the BBC Sky At Night programme. Pete will be joined by fellow astronomer Paul Abel an expert visual observer who is also a co-presenter on the BBC Sky At Night programme.  Weather permitting, you will then try to spot some fast moving meteors with the naked eye and look through the telescopes at other interesting celestial objects including the Moon which is particularly beautiful through the large telescopes. 

The Perseids meteor shower occurs as Earth passes through the outskirts of a cloud of debris from comet Swift-Tuttle. The dust and bits of rock left behind are called meteors. As they enter the Earth's atmosphere they burn up with the larger pieces producing bright streams that you can see with the naked eye before they fade away. These bright burning streams are also known as shooting stars and can be seen from 23rd July until 20th August. Even though the maximum is on the 12th August when you may see approximately 60-80 shooting stars per hour, a good number can be seen around the maximum date and time.  

The evening aims to be both informal and informative. If the weather is unsuitable on themed evenings, the talk will go ahead regardless and a comprehensive tour of the telescopes will replace viewing. On the tour you will be taken into domes not open to the public during the day.

Alongside the staff are members of Wealden Astronomical Society (WAS) who are also there to help answer any questions you may have. Again, weather permitting, WAS will have their smaller telescopes on the lawns for you to look through.

Numbers are limited to 80 people, so book early to secure your place.

Time: 7pm - 11pm
Cost: £17.50 per person

How to Book

The photograph in this section was taken last year when Dr John Griffiths gave a very interesting and entertaining talk as he always did. Very sadly John died suddenly earlier this year. He loved coming down to The Centre and gave his time so generously on several occasions. We will miss him very much and our thoughts are with his family.

Comets and Curry - November 6th

Come and enjoy a warming curry a glass of wine and an informative talk by a guest speaker before trying to spot an impressive shooting star or two.  Vegetarian options available. If the weather does permit viewing through the telescopes you will get the chance to look at other interesting celestial objects including Jupiter which is very impressive through the large telescopes.

Look for the long, bright trails associated with the Taurids meteor shower. This annual event marks the time when the Earth passes through the dust trail of comet Encke. The dust and bits of rock left behind are called meteors. As they enter the Earth's atmosphere they burn up with the larger pieces producing bright streams that you can see with the naked eye before they fade away.

These bright burning streams are also known as shooting stars. The debris left behind by comet Enke is the largest in the inner solar system and it takes several weeks for the Earth to pass through it giving an extended period of activity. Although the maximum is on the 5th November you should be able to spot meteors between 20th October to 30th November. 

The evening aims to be both informal and informative. It includes  an opportunity to look though The Centre's historic telescopes (weather permitting). If the weather is unsuitable on themed evenings,  the talk will go ahead regardless and a comprehensive tour of the telescopes will replace viewing. Alongside the staff are members of Wealden Astronomical Society (WAS) who are also there to help answer any questions you may have as well as providing their own smaller, modern telescopes for you to look through.

Numbers are limited to 80 people, so book early to secure your place.

Time: 7pm - 11pm
Cost: £22.50

How to Book

How to Book

To check availability please ring or email the centre.
To make a booking you can telephone and reserve your place using a credit or debit card. Alternatively download, print and complete a Booking Form.

If you are sending a Booking Form and / or cheque, please post to:

The Observatory Science Centre
Herstmonceux
East Sussex
BN27 1RN 

Please make cheques payable to Science Projects Ltd