Join us this January for our first ever virtual Pompey Stargazing event!
Covid-19 means we can't hold events in-person in 2021. Instead, we invite you to join us online for a series of talks, events and activities for members of the public.
You can put your questions to expert cosmologists from the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation at the University of Portsmouth, learn about exciting new telescopes that will soon launch into space, and find out what you can see in the night sky.
The Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation has hosted an annual public 'Stargazing at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard' event since 2013, in collaboration with the National Museum of the Royal Navy. We hope to be back with an in-person event in 2022 but look forward to seeing you online this year instead!
Use the hashtag #PompeyStargazing if you're taking part, telling your friends or sharing your stargazing observations on social media.
Ticketed events
A new era of astronomy
Monday 25 January, 6.00pm
This panel discussion will feature three academics from the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation who will share their thoughts about the scientific possibilities of the new generation of space telescopes that are due to come online over the next few years.
Recommended for ages 14+
Ask us about astronomy and the cosmos!
Tuesday 26 January, 5.00pm
Put your questions about all things astronomical and cosmological to researchers from the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation.
Recommended for ages 12+
Cosmic inflation: Physics at the edge of the Universe
Thursday 28 January, 6.00pm
A public talk by Professor David Wands about our current understanding of the early universe and the physics that shaped it.
Recommended for ages 16+
Family fun day
Saturday 30 January, timings to be confirmed
Join us for a day of family-friendly activities for all ages.
We're busy finalizing all the information about this event and we'll add it all here as soon as we can. Please save the date and the link and check back here soon.
Colliding black holes and neutron stars: Detecting gravitational waves
Sunday 31 January, 6pm
A public talk by Dr Laura Nuttall about gravitational waves - tiny ripples in space-time from cataclysmic cosmic sources.
Recommended for ages 16+
Other activities
Social Media
Keep an eye on the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation Facebook and Twitter pages throughout the week where we'll be on-hand with some bonus content and answers to your stargazing questions.
Night Sky Audio Tour
As we can't be together in person to show you the night sky, we've created an audio tour that you can download instead.
Take it outside and follow along as Dr Jen Gupta from the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation explores what we'll be able to see from Portsmouth at 7.30pm on a clear evening during the last week of January.
