A spin around Saturn – young stargazers journey through Space
Monday 9th November 2026
I think I may be an astronomer when I grow up!
Young stargazers joined Science Oxford for a spin around the Solar System and saw Saturn and its moons at ‘Starry Night’ with expert local astronomers and the Space Store at the Science Oxford Centre.
Visitors viewed the wonders of the October night sky through telescopes from Marcham Astronomy Society and Abingdon Astronomy Society volunteers. Families took a journey through space in our planetarium show in the inflatable science dome, discovering how scientists search for life in our solar system and beyond, and exploring what we think constitutes ‘life’. We visited moons, exoplanets and the Milky Way and learned about some strange worlds already discovered by the Kepler Space telescope. One visitor said, “The potential planet with sideways glass rain has really made us think!”
Our Space Science Specialist, Kat Kelly, said “It was great to see so many local residents and families looking up and enjoying the night sky over Oxford. The main highlight was seeing Saturn and its moons. It was particularly exciting because we had been talking about the possibility for life on some of Saturn’s moons in the planetarium show, then guests could go right outside and see them for themselves.”
Children enjoyed hands-on crafts and made their own Moon to take home, made moon chalk paintings and craters with the Science Oxford team.
Oxford’s Space Store led a satellite treasure hunt and families experienced augmented reality about planets in our solar system.
Local families from the Headington, Barton and East Oxford area were invited to enjoy the illuminating evening, which was supported by The Oxford Trust. It was a great opportunity for families and young people to see Saturn in real time, with a team of astronomers and experts on hand. The young and young at heart stepped into the shoes of astronauts for a space suit selfie!
My daughter also LOVED the hot chocolate and biscuits and enjoyed making her own moon!
Visitors said highlights were seeing Saturn through the telescope, hands-on activities including making a Moon to take home, and the hot chocolate and biscuits. One family commented after the ‘Life Elsewhere’ Planetarium show, “We’ve been looking at the stars more and talking about other planets that could be out there. The potential one with sideways glass rain has really made us think!!”
Find an Exoplanet or name the first UK Space clean-up mission!
Try your own space-themed activities from NASA or check out their Citizen Science open projects. Look out for new planets with your own telescope or analyse existing data via Exoplanet Watch. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or an astrophysicist to study distant worlds, as the project will teach you what you need to know to collect important data on exoplanets.
Name the first UK Space Clean-up Mission
Help name the UK’s first national space mission! The UK Space Agency is inviting creative minds across the UK to help name its pioneering Active Debris Removal mission, which will remove defunct satellites from orbit and help keep space clean and safe for future generations. The UK is leading the way in space sustainability, taking action to clean up our orbital environment.
If your mission name is selected, you will be making history and you will see the name etched on the side of a spacecraft! Simply submit a mission name (maximum two words); A short explanation (up to 150 words) explaining how it reflects the theme of keeping space clean and safe for future generations.
Enter here. Entries open until 5pm, 10 December 2026. Open to UK residents, with a dedicated schools category for pupils aged 7–18. Entries for under-18s must be submitted by an adult.
Whether you’re a space enthusiast, a budding scientist, or just love a creative challenge, get involved!
Discover more out of this world events for all the family at the Science Oxford Centre and beyond, book ahead here.
