I’ve really enjoyed Stargazing LIVE on BBC2 this past week. The kids have been watching it too, and although some of it has gone over their heads they were really interested in the programmes. I was therefore quite excited about visiting Stargazing Oxford, a festival of astronomy based activities hosted by the Oxford University Physics Department.
We arrived early afternoon and as it was a lovely sunny day one of our first activities was solar observing. Astronomers had set up a telescope with a special solar filter that allowed us to see the sun safely. Looking through the telescope we could clearly see several sun spots; the kids were particularly impressed!
The lecture theatre had talks throughout the day, covering various aspects of astronomy and planetary science. We attended a presentation about the solar system where one of the scientists talked about the planets and some of the moons orbiting these. This was a perfect introductory level talk, most of the others sounded interesting but were probably more suited to teenagers or adults.
Next stop, some AstroCrafts. These were science based activities, where the kids got to make barometers and a magnetometer. There was also the opportunity to make a comet and to present the weather forecast for Mars. Back on Earth we’ve set the barometers up at home so no need to watch the weather forecast anymore!
After cake and coffee at the Science Cafe we looked around the stalls on offer and spoke to the scientists about topics such as meteorites and infrared thermal imaging.We also met a student who was going through the selection process to be one of the participants on a one-way mission to Mars (whenever that may be). The kids were excited to see Chris Lintott who they’d been watching on Stargazing Live earlier in the week.
We queued for a while to visit a show in the inflatable planetarium. After taking our shoes off we had to crawl through a darkened tunnel into the planetarium where we listened to a short night sky talk. It was a little hard to hear the presenter as the sides of the planetarium seemed to magnify whispers between people, but the kids enjoyed the novelty.
Onto my favourite part of the day, night sky observing. Several telescopes had been set up outside for visitors to look through. These were focused on the Moon and Jupiter. It was fantastic to see Jupiter along with four of its moons, wow! Back when I was a kid I remember going to see Halley’s Comet through a telescope. This memory has stayed with me so I hope my kids remember viewing Jupiter and its moons when they’re older.
Overall we had a great afternoon and evening at the event, helped by clear skies. There was plenty to see and do and even though we spent several hours there we didn’t cover everything. Although a family friendly event there was definitely more of interest to the 8+ age group.
One final point, it was refreshing to see so many female students and scientists, they’ve certainly helped inspire my daughter. I don’t think anyone could persuade her to go to Mars though (thankfully).
That looks great fun. I keep meaning to take the kids out to look at the stars before the summer arrives and it gets too late.
Thanks for your comment, definitely a great time of year to get out and look up at the skies.
Sounds like it was a fascinating afternoon! Plus it was in Oxford, which has to be one of the prettiest places in the country 🙂 #letkidsbekids
Thanks. Yes Oxford is lovely but I probably take it for granted, it’s also rather flooded at the moment!
Oh, that looks and sounds like a really good day out for children, very interesting and hands on. My son would have loved it, as he’s just getting into a bit of space, but he’s probably a bit young yet.
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
Thanks Karen, a really enjoyable day out.
That sounds really interesting! My oldest would have loved this. #LetKidsBeKids
Thanks Sara, we had a fun day.
What a brilliant day out. I hope I can find something like this for my boys when they are a bit older, it’s great there was so much hands on stuff.
Thanks Sarah. I’m sure you will, the Stargazing LIVE team advertised 300+ events around the country. Just need to hope for clear skies!
What a great trip out… I can’t wait until mine are big enough to appreciate things like this.
#pocolo
Thanks for popping by. Believe me, the time will be gone in a flash!
That sounds like a great festival. I hope they plan to do more in the future when we can visit. #pocolo
Thanks Kriss. I think this happens every year, and the University has loads of other events as well.
Loved this post and the enthusiasm of your young astronomers! 🙂
Thanks Emma, they really enjoyed themselves.
That looks like such fun! Educational and exciting too!! #PoCoLo
Thanks Kim. I learnt things too, so educational for all ages.
This looks amazing. Grace and I were lucky enough to go star gazing in the desert when we went to Egypt and she loved it. I shall find Stargazing on the iplayer because I reckon she will really enjoy it as well as finding some local events. Thank you for linking to PoCoLo x
Thanks Vicky. If Grace does watch Stargazing Live on the Iplayer my kids enjoyed the aurora section, and the bit when they go into the aeroplane to see if they can recreate the feeling of zero gravity (I would have been so ill).
That sounds great – and something two of my kids would enjoy. The third keeps getting upset about the enormity of the universe, the risk of collisions with meteors, etc. so perhaps not for him. #letkidsbekids
Yes, there would have been plenty of scope for questions about meteorites etc so probably not a good idea as you say!
Sounds like a great day out 🙂
Thanks Gina, it was!
Such a fabulous thing to do with the kids. Here’s hoping your daughter continues to be inspired by science.
Thanks Izzie, yes I hope so too!