'Chasing the moon' for National Astronomy Week 2025

ASDC members take part in National Astronomy Week ‘Chasing the moon’

Science and discovery centres, observatories, astronomy societies and planetaria around the UK are taking part in the 9th National Astronomy Week, running from 1-9th February 2025, with a wide variety of special National Astronomy Week events including a special planetarium experience tour of the night sky with the ‘Chasing the Moon’ planetarium show.

National Astronomy Week (NAW) has a daily theme each day from 1-9 February, today, 3rd February is Pegasus - The Square of Pegasus: Count the Stars! Find the Moon, and look to its right. Can you see a huge square of stars? This is the Square of Pegasus. Let your eyes adjust to the dark and see how many stars you can count inside the square.

A constellation of special public events are taking place across the network, with ASDC providing mini grants for activities for families and schools.

Chasing the Moon and more astronomy events and activities will run on selected dates at science centres, planetariums and local observatories including:

Search for more events by date, or search by location using the interactive map.

Download the hands-on resources available to bring National Astronomy Week to your programming this week.

Download resources

1. Aberdeen Science Centre:

Explore the Science Centre with hands-on space fun:

DIY Pinhole Camera – Build your own to safely view the sun.
Robotic Arm Challenge – Control a robot arm and learn about space rovers.
Games & Puzzles – Match moon phases, play a Solar System card game, and enjoy wordsearches, dot-to-dots, and colouring. Staff will be on hand to guide activities and share space facts!

2. Aerospace Kinross:

Join for an unforgettable journey through the night sky! Discover the wonders of the universe in our immersive planetarium and chat with our expert astronomers. Get simple tips and tools to make the most of stargazing—whether you're a beginner or a seasoned skywatcher. Come and explore the cosmos at Aerospace Kinross.

3. Dynamic Earth:

As part of National Astronomy Week, join the live "Chasing the Moon" show each day! Explore the moon’s position alongside planets and constellations, take a virtual trip to the Orion Nebula, and watch footage from the Apollo missions and the Artemis launch. The show is tailored to fit school curriculums, like exploring Day and Night in the Curriculum for Excellence.

4. Explorer Dome:

Get ready for our local community star party! We’ll be focusing on planets like Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars, all visible in the night sky. Inside, enjoy a planetarium show featuring these planets and constellations like Pegasus, along with the fascinating Greek myths behind them. Weather permitting, we’ll have live stargazing outside where Bristol Astronomical Society will set up telescopes for closer views of the Moon and planets.

5. Glasgow Science Centre:

The team at Glasgow Science Centre will be kicking off National Astronomy Week with a special Planetarium Late: Chasing the Moon. See how the sky will appear over the coming week, chase the Moon across the sky past three planets and a veritable treasure-trove of stars. We'll spot a nursery of baby stars born during the age of the dinosaurs, explore our place in the solar system, and test the darkness of our night sky. All you need to do is look up! Find out more.

6. Kielder Observatory:

Ask an Astronomer: join expert astronomers for an online live stream where they’ll answer your questions on all things astronomy! From space exploration to the Aurora Borealis, they’ll discuss hot topics in space science. Submit your questions in advance or ask live for a real-time chat about the universe!

7. National Space Centre:

Inside the UK’s largest planetarium at the National Space Centre, visitors will be chasing the Moon across the sky as it passes a treasure trove of planets and winter constellations.

Join the expert-led Discovery team for an immersive and educational journey through the cosmos. Marvel at stunning high-definition visuals and cutting-edge technology as we explore the night sky's beauty, chase the Moon, choose to visit one of four dazzling planets, and a treasure-trove of stars! Find out more.

8. Observatory Science Centre:

Enjoy an evening of stargazing and soak up the fabulous atmosphere that surrounds the Observatory at night, looking through some of the largest telescopes in the country at some extraordinary night sky objects. Don’t worry if it is cloudy; there is a cloudy night contingency plan! Find out more.

9. Royal Institution:

Talk - The real science of asteroid defence. This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in the theatre are joined by audiences online. Robin George Andrews reveals the story of how science and engineering can save us from city-destroying asteroids. Find out more.

10. Science Oxford:

The third event in our ongoing ‘Star Gazing Event’ programme. Come and enjoy a 30-minute planetarium show, a selection of astronomy themed drop-in activities, and hands on experiences with powerful telescopes kindly provided by members of the Abingdon Astronomical Society. The team will be accompanied by volunteers who will be sharing their knowledge of and passion for space.

National Astronomy Week is organised when there is a significant astronomical event, and 2025 has been chosen because of the parade of planets across the night sky. This year is themed around chasing the Moon across the sky as it passes a treasure trove of planets and winter constellations.

Visit the National Astronomy Week website to find out more. ASDC is a support of National Astronomy Week, alongside the Royal Astronomical Society, British Astronomical Association, Federation of Astronomical Societies and the Society for Popular Astronomy.