Astronomy Night in the Shire

About

The ocean below. The universe above.

With the sound of waves crashing nearby, and under the starlight, join an astrophysicist for a guided journey of the night sky.

Using an astronomy laser, we’ll guide you through the constellations and explore:

• How to navigate using the stars — as our ancestors did.
• The life and death of stars and their connection to life on Earth.
• Supernovae — the explosions of dying stars.
• Constellation stories, planets and the zodiac.
• Black holes, Einstein’s relativity and the science behind Interstellar.

Then the Telescopes!

Take your turn at the telescope to see planets, star clusters, double stars and the Moon, depending on what’s visible that night. Have something in mind? Ask, and we’ll try to find it.

If the Moon is up, we’ll help you photograph it through the telescope with your phone — a little piece of the night to take home.

Good to know

• Beginner-friendly, no astronomy knowledge needed. Families very welcome.
• Dress warmer than you think you need to. It's colder out on the point than in town.
• We keep groups small so everyone gets real time at the telescope and a chance to ask questions.
• We're in a residential area, so we keep voices low — which suits the evening anyway.
• Bring your questions. Black holes, aliens, the beginning of the universe: nothing is off limits, and the kids usually ask the best ones.

If the weather turns

Skies change fast, so we make the call at 12pm on the day and let you know by 1pm whether we're going ahead. If we can't run, we'll…