National Space Centre

A boy leans over a console with a screen and buttons, and imagines what it would be like to be involved in a space mission.

This week I’m grateful for museums and their curators. Took my son to
@spacecentre.bsky.social on Monday and it was great. Lots of interesting exhibits (MOON ROCK!) and LOTS OF BUTTONS AND SWITCHES TO MESS AROUND WITH. He absolutely loved it and has been asking me questions about space all week.

Friday plans: Space Lates ✨

🪐 Looking for alien worlds
👽 How to communicate with aliens
🎨 Art of Astrophysics
🛸 Imagining UFOs

🎟️ Your ticket includes expert talks, hands-on activities, galleries to explore and stargazing. Book your space: www.spacecentre.co.uk/whats-on/spa...

🎆 Remember, remember to look out for the biggest and brightest Supermoon of the year tonight.

🌕 Look east after 17:00. The Moon will be rising just above the horizon at this time and will appear slightly bigger and brighter than a typical full moon. www.spacecentre.co.uk/news/space-n...

🖊️ Please show your support for the future of all the UK’s science centres by taking 2 minutes to sign and share our collective open letter. Find out more and sign the letter here: future.sciencecentres.org.uk

⚠️ Science and discovery centres around the UK are doing amazing work to engage as many people as possible in science, BUT we're largely excluded from government funding.

"They both learn something new every time we visit and we love the opportunity to be able to spend time as a family whilst giving them space and time to explore and engage with the various activities and displays there are throughout the centre. It is one of our favourite days out!”

Here's why Jessica, an Annual Pass Holder is supporting the ✨ Science Centres For Our Future ✨ campaign:

“We are lucky enough to live near the National Space Centre and as a result are regular visitors as both my 3 year old and 7 year old are huge fans."

🖊️ future.sciencecentres.org.uk

There are only 💤30 spaces 💤 left for our AstroSnores Sleepover (ages 6+).

🔭 Start with Space Lates
🤖 Watch The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
😴 Sleep next to spacecraft and spacesuits
🥐 And more including breakfast and a planetarium show

🚀 Book here: www.spacecentre.co.uk/whats-on/sle...

✨ #ScienceCentresForOurFuture ✨ Did you know we are part of a national network of Science & Discovery Centres? Together, we inspire millions every year but we’re largely excluded from government funding.

🖊️ It’s time for change. Sign the open letter & show your support: future.sciencecentres.org.uk

Stargazing Challenge ✨ Try looking for a star pattern in the constellation of Hercules known as the Keystone asterism.

☀️ The star in the bottom right corner is Zeta Herculis. It's actually a double star system which can be seen by a medium-sized telescope. www.spacecentre.co.uk/news/space-n...

🎄 There's only one Christmas Party Night left - 13 December 🎄

🪩 Disco Divas
🍲 Three course dinner in the exhibition
🧑‍🎤 Live band & DJ
🚀 Unique venue

Book your table now and have a Cosmic Christmas:
venuehire.spacecentre.co.uk/christmas/sh...

Space Tour is OUT NOW! 🚀 Get ready for a supersonic tour of the universe through stunning photos and fascinating facts. Written by Charlie and Dhara from the Space Centre, this beautiful hardback book is the perfect gift for young space explorers. Get your copy in our shop or any good bookstore.

We're hosting a sleepover!

We start with Space Lates, then The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in the planetarium before sleeping in the galleries.

We'll have breakfast under the rockets, followed by a planetarium show. Book your space (Ages 6+): www.spacecentre.co.uk/whats-on/sle...

Our next Accessible Afternoon is on 5 Oct 🚀

It's for kids, young adults & families with additional needs & disabilities. We have relaxed lighting & sounds around the Centre, with hands-on sensory activities for visitors who would like a quieter experience. www.spacecentre.co.uk/whats-on/acc...

Spent time at the @spacecentre.bsky.social today, meeting primary school teachers to show them the breadth of STFC research in planetary and astrophysics happening at Leicester - part of a professional development course for local teachers ahead of them bringing Year-5s to NSC in October.

I had a great day! This was my favourite photo.

Thank you to all the amazing guest speakers, exhibitors and visitors who joined us at the #UKinSpaceFestival 2025.
What did you enjoy most at the festival?

🏙️ John also took part in a special Q&A with kids from the local community, answering their questions about training to become an astronaut. #UKinSpaceFestival

🚀 The study has been looking at whether it is possible for an astronaut with a physical disability to take part in a long duration mission and how we can make space exploration more accessible. The brilliant news is that John could be one of the next British astronauts to travel to space.

🎤 In his keynote speech he told us all about being a Team GB Paralympian and taking part in astronaut training with Fly! the ESA feasibility study that he was selected onto in 2022.

👨🏻‍🚀 We were delighted to welcome JohnMcFall to the #UKinSpaceFestival 2025 yesterday. John is a @esa.int astronaut reserve and has become the first person with a physical disability to be cleared to fly to the International Space Station. @ukspaceagency.bsky.social

The only way to confirm if this is life on Mars will be to bring the rock samples back to Earth for further examination. Perseverance has been collecting samples and storing them in canisters, which will be deposited on the surface of Mars awaiting a future sample return mission.

It's possible the minerals were produced by natural geological processes, but NASA has said the features could be the clearest signs of life ever found and is calling the findings "potential biosignatures".

The markings on the rock, that look like leopard spots and poppy seeds, contain minerals produced by chemical reactions that could be associated with Martian microbes.

Has NASA found life on Mars? A sample collected by the Perseverance Mars rover from an ancient dry riverbed in Jezero Crater could preserve evidence of ancient microbial life.

🎨 Art 🤝 Space 🚀 Meet award-winning Leicester artist Matt Turner at the UK in Space Festival, 14 Sept at the Space Centre, and explore his stunning collection of space-themed art.

Winner of the 2024 NASA Space Tech Art Challenge, Matt’s work focuses on space exploration, technology & people.

🇬🇧 Just a little reminder: The UK in Space Festival is on 14 September 🚀

We've planned hands-on activities, expert talks and stunning shows in the planetarium and we'll be joined by special guest John McFall, ESA Astronaut Reserve.

🎟️ Get your tickets: www.spacecentre.co.uk/whats-on/uk-...

✨️ Planetarium Upgrade ✨

📽️ The planetarium will be closed from 1-5 Sept while we install new projectors.

🎟️ If you've booked a first visit this week you’ll receive a planetarium show sticker alongside your free annual pass upgrade, so you can enjoy a show on your next visit once the dome reopens.

🤫 If you're an adult looking to visit the Centre on a quieter day, Quiet Space is for you.

📅 On 9 September there are no schools. Your ticket includes access to our award-winning galleries, the Rocket Tower and the UK’s largest Planetarium.

🎟️ Get your tickets: www.spacecentre.co.uk/whats-on/qui...

👨🏻‍🚀 John was a Paralympic medallist for Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Games. In 2022, he was selected for the ESA Astronaut Reserve and is taking part in ESA’s “Fly!” study, exploring how to overcome the barriers to spaceflight for astronauts with physical disabilities.