Stargazing Public Events

Every year the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation holds a large-scale public event, which originally was a tie-in with the BBC Stargazing Live TV programmes. In 2018 our event will be held on the 30th January at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, further details can be found below.

Stargazing at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard 2018

Tuesday 30th January 2017
18.00 – 21.30
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Free tickets available from 10am on Saturday 30th December by clicking here.

An evening of astronomy, stargazing, space activities, cosmology chat and talks at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, with activities taking place on board HMS Warrior 1860 and in Action Stations.

Join astrophysicists and cosmologists from the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, navigation experts from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, amateur astronomers from Hampshire Astronomical Group, and more tbc at this free event, exploring navigation through space and time.

During the event you will have the opportunity to take a look through a telescope, learn how sailors navigate by the stars, and find out more about our Universe.

Short talks will be given throughout the night on topics within stargazing, navigation, cosmology and space.

There will be a range of activities to suit all ages, with plenty to do and see whether it’s clear or cloudy!

Free general admission tickets will be available from 10am on Saturday 30th December by clicking here, and will be available for three entry times – 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm. Note that entry is only guaranteed in the hour following the entry time of your ticket, but once you are inside the event you are welcome to stay until it ends at 9.30pm. In previous years attendees have typically spent around 1.5 hours at the event.

Previous Events

Stargazing Live at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard 2017
Tuesday 31st January 2017
18.00 – 21.30
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

An evening of stargazing, space activities, cosmology chat and talks at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, with activities taking place on board HMS Warrior 1860 and in Action Stations.

Join astrophysicists and cosmologists from the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, navigation experts from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, amateur astronomers from Hampshire Astronomical Group, space engineers from Airbus Defence and Space, and many more at this free event, exploring navigation through space and time. During the event you will have the opportunity to take a look through a telescope, learn how sailors navigate by the stars, and find out more about our Universe. Short talks will be given throughout the night on topics within stargazing, navigation, cosmology and space. There will be a range of activities to suit all ages, with plenty to do and see whether it’s clear or cloudy!

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance at stargazingportsmouth2017.eventbrite.co.uk.

Confirmed exhibitors for 2017:

• Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, University of Portsmouth. Astrophysicists and cosmologists from the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, and physics undergraduate students from the University of Portsmouth, will have a range of activities for all ages, from space-themed crafts to expert chat. Find out how astronomers work out what stars are made of, piece together the Universe, see how gravity works, and much more.
• HMS Warrior 1860. Learn how sailors navigated by the stars and see items from the archives.
• Action Stations. Build your own rocket and see how far it will go!
• Hampshire Astronomical Group.  Look through a telescope and find out more about the night sky with amateur astronomers from the Hampshire Astronomical Group (weather dependent). If the weather is bad then members of HAG will be displaying their telescopes inside.
• UK Space Life and Biomedical Sciences Association and UK Space Environments Association. Ever wanted to be an astronaut? Members of these two associations will be on hand to explain the effects of spaceflight on the human body.
• Airbus Defence and Space.
• Raspberry Pi Foundation.The Raspberry Pi Foundation is a UK charity working to put the power of digital making into the hands of people all over the world, so they are capable of understanding and shaping our increasingly digital world, able to solve the problems that matter to them, and equipped for the jobs of the future. To accompany your evening of stargazing, come and try some exciting Astro Pi challenges suitable for all skill levels, hear about the new activities on the International Space Station as well as Tim Peake’s previous involvement and get hands on with some real space-certified hardware!
• South Downs National Park. 

 

Stargazing Live at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Thursday 14th January 2016
18.00 – 22.00
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Free, tickets must be booked in advance at stargazingportsmouth2016.eventbrite.co.uk

An evening of stargazing, space activities, cosmology chat and talks at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, with activities taking place on board HMS Warrior 1860 and in Action Stations.

Join astrophysicists and cosmologists from the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, navigation experts from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, amateur astronomers from Hampshire Astronomical Group, and many more at this BBC Stargazing Live partner event, exploring navigation through space and time. During the event you will have the opportunity to take a look through a telescope, learn how sailors navigate by the stars, and find out more about our Universe. Short talks will be given throughout the night on topics within stargazing, navigation, cosmology and space. There will be a range of activities to suit all ages, with plenty to do and see whether it’s clear or cloudy!

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance at stargazingportsmouth2016.eventbrite.co.uk.

 

Stargazing Live Eclipse Event with the Big Screen
Friday 20th March 2015
08.30 – 10.00am
Guildhall Square
Free, no booking required

In the morning on Friday 20th March 2015 a partial solar eclipse would have been visible from Portsmouth. Over 1000 people joined astronomers from the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation in Guildhall Square between 8.30 and 10am to safely view the eclipse at this BBC Stargazing Live partner event. Special eclipse glasses and solar telescopes were available to see the eclipse without damaging your eyes and experts were on hand to answer any questions you may have. A special edition of Stargazing Live was also broadcast on the Big Screen. Unfortunately it was cloudy in Portsmouth so the eclipse was not visible.

Secondary schools were invited to bring a group of year 7 pupils along to this event for a special programme of activities and talks running from 9am until 11am.

Stargazing Live at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Tuesday 24th March 2015
18.00 – 22.00
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Free, tickets must be booked in advance at stargazingportsmouth2015.eventbrite.co.uk

An evening of stargazing, space activities, cosmology chat and talks at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, with activities taking place on board HMS Warrior 1860 and in Action Stations.

Join astrophysicists and cosmologists from the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, navigation experts from HMS Warrior 1860, amateur astronomers from Hampshire Astronomical Group, and many more at this BBC Stargazing Live partner event, exploring navigation through space and time. During the event members of the public had the opportunity to take a look through a telescope, learn how sailors navigate by the stars, and find out more about our Universe. There was a range of activities to suit all ages, with plenty to do and see whether it’s clear or cloudy!