Exploration and discovery
Films on missions, telescopes and the people behind them.
Cosmic Experience Centre
Walk through the universe
A planetarium, simulators and observing nights that make the scale of space something you feel. Digital previews arrive first; the physical centre follows in a later phase.
Spiral galaxy
Illustration
Illustration
Experiences
Digital Planetarium
Full-dome
45 min shows
Live presenter
A full-dome theatre that places you inside the night sky. A presenter flies the audience across real star positions, and shows change with the season and the sky outside.
Experiences
Journey Through the Universe
Scale journey
All ages
A guided voyage from Earth to the edge of the observable universe, passing the Moon, the planets, nearby stars and distant galaxies. Each step multiplies the distance by ten.
Experiences
Solar System Experience
Walk-through
Hands-on
A scaled walk-through of the Sun and eight planets, with touchable meteorite samples, gravity comparisons and live data from current missions.
Experiences
Black Holes and Galaxies
Immersive
Ages 10+
See how a black hole bends light and what happens to matter that falls in. The show then explores how galaxies form, collide and grow around giant black holes.
Experiences
Exoplanets and the Search for Life
Interactive
Ages 10+
Discover how astronomers find planets by the tiny dimming of starlight, and decide for yourself which of the 6,000 known worlds deserve a closer look.
Experiences
Astronaut Experience
Training modules
Ages 12+
Try the tasks real crews practise: moving in simulated weightlessness, docking a spacecraft, and working through an emergency procedure as a team.
Experiences
Mars Mission Simulator
Team of 6
90 min
Run a surface mission to Mars as a crew. Each role has a console and a task; a communication delay to Earth means the team has to decide for itself.
Experiences
Space Exploration Gallery
Exhibits tell the story of exploration, from the first satellites to modern rovers and space telescopes.
Experiences
Astronomy and Stargazing
Evenings
Weather permitting
Regular observing nights with telescopes and expert guides. Learn to find planets, star clusters and the Moon’s craters, and take away a simple star chart for home.
Experiences
Science Documentaries
A programme of documentaries and discussion screenings.
Climate from space
What satellites tell us about our changing planet.
After the film
A scientist joins each screening to answer questions.
Experiences
School and Group Visits
Visits are designed with teachers and linked to the curriculum.
School trips
Half-day and full-day programmes for ages 8 to 18, with worksheets and a teacher pack.
Family sessions
Weekend shows and activities for children and adults to enjoy together.
Groups and companies
Private evenings for clubs, teams and corporate events.
Continue exploring