On late Spring and Summer evenings, the days are long and the nights relatively short, so one has to stay up quite late for it to be dark enough to see the stars.
If the skies are clear - we can see some familiar star patterns, including the Great Bear and Little Bear, Leo, (the Lion), Virgo, (the Maiden), Scorpius, (the Scorpion), and many others.
In the late evening, from dark locations, the faintly glowing band of the Milky Way will be seen arching right across the eastern and north-eastern sky. This band of faint stars is the disk of the great stars system to which we belong – our Galaxy – whose stars are all around us. This is best seen when there is no bright Moon in the sky. The Moon will be full this year on May 23rd, June 22nd and July 21st.
If you want to spot some planets you will need to stay up late or get up early in the morning before dawn. In early June, the beautiful ringed planet Saturn rises at about 2am and the Red Planet Mars an hour later just as twilight is brightening the eastern sky. By early July, both of these planets will be rising
here is also a fine display of planets. The lovely Red Planet Mars is seen as soon as darkness falls, and the beautiful ringed planet Saturn is also well placed. Venus becomes a brilliant object in the early morning sky by the end of June. A month later, in early July, Saturn will be rising before midnight, Mars before 2am and the brilliant giant planet Jupiter only half an hour later – all three visible in a dark sky before dawn twilight interferes.
Come to the Planetarium for a breathtaking tour of the night sky and to find out more about what there is to be seen on clear evenings in late spring and early summer.
Please book as far in advance as you can to avoid disappointment.
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Duration 70 min Approx
Please also consider making a donation under the Gift Aid scheme. It costs you nothing and gives us more. Download the Gift Aid form here
All public areas of the Planetarium are accessible to wheelchairs. Disabled parking bays are available
The Planetarium has two easy access, gender neutral toilets, one of which is slightly larger so as to accommodate carers if this is necessary.
The seats in the main auditorium are ex-aircraft seats. Those in the first two rows are set at a slightly reclined angle to provide the best possible view. They can, however, be tipped forwards to enable easier access to the rows behind when entering and leaving. The seats in the back row do not recline. They provide a wide view of the entire dome area, which some of our visitors prefer. The auditorium is fully accessible to wheelchairs.
There is no direct access off the Chichester Bypass. All access via
Kingsham Road only.
SEE MAP BELOW.
Satnav postcode use PO19 8EB
The only entrance for walkers, cars buses, lorries, coaches, PoGo sticks or Space Hoppers, is by the High School entrance in Kingsham Road, then follow the signs to "The South Downs Planetarium and Science center" It is located at the southern end of the Chichester High Schools campus.
Click here to download a printable copy.
Please note there are two free car parks available.
Satnav postcode use PO19 8EB
The South Downs Planetarium one of two car parks.
