Back by popular demand, National Museum Cardiff will again be hosting a FREE fun-filled day of astronomical activities, talks and displays for all the family on Saturday 11 January, 10am-4pm as part of the popular BBC Stargazing Live events, which reveals stunning images from Earth’s most powerful telescopes – and beyond – during three nights of extraordinary astronomical events.
There will be an opportunity to hear two space talks – one at 12pm –“Mysteries of the Solar System” by Dr Chris North, researcher at Cardiff University and Herschel Space Observatory UK Outreach Officer and another at 2pm by Professor Mike Edmunds, Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics, Cardiff University who will discuss “Expanding the Universe – Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo and Newton”
Experience stargazing through the ages – find out what it was like to look through Galileo and Newton’s early telescopes, and how today’s high-tech telescopes compare!
Drop in to the Space Craft sessions in the Clore Discovery Centre, 11-4pm! Younger visitors can make a piece of space themed art to take home.
In the main hall discover how astronomers explore the sky at multiple wavelengths using the Herschel and Planck space telescopes, with Cardiff University.
See displays from the University of South Wales astronomy group, including images from the Faulkes Telescope Project or learn more about tackling light pollution with the Campaign for Dark Skies.
Can you tell meteorites from meteor-wrongs? Have a go at our fun quiz and see if you can tell real space rocks from other objects. Explore the Museum’s meteorite collection, and use our impact simulator to discover the effects of a meteorite hitting your home town. Think you’ve found a meteorite? Bring it in and our museum scientists will identify it for you.
Follow a trail into our Evolution of Wales gallery to discover a Moon rock collected by Apollo 12 astronauts and meteorites that have travelled millions of miles through space to Earth.
Discover our nearest planets on a giant model of the solar system and wannabee astronomers can find out about local astronomical societies.
Dr Lucy M. E. McCobb, Palaeontology Curator, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, said, “Our Stargazing day proves more popular every year so we’re excited about the big day on Saturday. We’ve got a full day of fun free events and activities for stargazers and future astronomers! There will be plenty of museum scientists to talk to and answer any questions so we hope visitors come and join us for a fun-filled day of stargazing events.”
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales operates seven museums across Wales including National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, the National Roman Legion Museum, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, the National Wool Museum, the National Slate Museum and the National Waterfront Museum.
Entry to the Museum is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Government.
