We pick the best live and virtual astronomy events and resources this month
PICK OF THE MONTH
ONLINE: Maddie, Space and You
Five fact-packed CBeebies programmes for young space fans
If you have small people to keep entertained during the Easter holidays, head to the BBC iPlayer for Maddie Moate’s upbeat series on space, Maddie, Space and You. The five 20-minute episodes introduce the Solar System, how rockets work, living and working on the International Space Station (ISS), the role of robotics in space missions and everything you need to know about training to become an astronaut.
Packed with real science and filmed at the UK’s National Space Centre in Leicester, Moate’s exuberant style makes it a fun watch for all ages.
BBC iPlayer
Live: Our Place in Space
Northern Ireland and Cambridge, from 22 April
From this month until 16 October an epic 10km space-themed sculpture trail will appear in Derry/Londonderry, Belfast, Cambridge, then County Down. Designed by children’s author and artist Oliver Jeffers, the walkable scale model of the Solar System will be accompanied by an interactive app and programme of events.
Live & Online: The Water Cycle of a Cold Early Mars
Queen Square, Bath, 1 April, 7:30pm
Stephen Clifford from Arizona’s Planetary Science Institute explores the evidence that Mars was once a planet of oceans and lakes, and asks where the water is now. Watch online or the large-screen broadcast at the Bath Literary and Scientific Institution. Tickets £5/£2.
www.brlsi.org/whatson/the-water-cycle-of-a-cold-early-mars
Live: Whitby observing night
Bruce Observatory, Whitby, 3, 10 and 17 April, 8pm
If skies are clear, join Whitby and District Astronomical Society for one of their last Sunday evening public observing sessions of the winter season.
Live: Kids’ planetarium shows
Royal Observatory Greenwich, London, throughout April
Kids can choose from several events at the Royal Observatory Greenwich over half term, including Chinese Astronomy, Out of this World and Morning Stars. Ages 7 and up. Tickets £5.
www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/planetarium-shows
Online: On the Moon with Apollo 16
21 April, 7:30pm
Robert Law from Dundee’s Mills Observatory discusses Apollo 16, the fifth and penultimate Apollo mission to land astronauts on the Moon. Watch on the Astronomical Society of Glasgow’s YouTube channel, or visit www.theasg.org.uk for Zoom login details.
Live & Online: Somerset Levels talks
Othery Village Hall, Somerset, 24 April, 11am Somerset Levels
Stargazers celebrate 10 years since their founding with ‘Dark Skies’, a day-long series of expert talks about light pollution. Also on Zoom: contact somersetlevelsstargazers@hotmail.com for the link.