Sherwood Observatory

@sherwoodobs.bsky.social

Inspiring STEM learning, growing future skills, bringing prosperity through our Planetarium, Observatory and Science Centre

🔎Fact SETI’s search for extraterrestrial signals has spanned c.1000 star systems, without success. But technology increases at such a rate that the speed of search is doubling every 18 mths. In 24 yrs, they'll have searched a few million star systems for ET’s signals! Who knows what we could find?

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Only 12 people have walked on the Moon so far, and 24 have orbited the Moon. In April 2026, Artemis II will aim to take a crew to orbit the Moon for the first time since 1972. Today is your last chance to experience 'Chasing the Moon,' a live show to mark National Astronomy Week. #NAW2025

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The Moon has no way to get rid of craters, so the lunar surface is an archive of the millions of impacts it has experienced across the Moon's existence. Similarly, without weather or other processes, the footprints left by the Apollo astronauts will last for over a million years. #NAW2025

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Very slowly, the Moon is getting slightly further away from the Earth. About 4cm a year, which is about the same amount that your fingernails grow per year. This week our Planetarium Shows are followed by 'Chasing the Moon,' a live talk and immersive show to mark National Astronomy Week. #NAW2025

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It's National Astronomy Week so we're sharing our top facts about the Moon. Moon fact of the day: Astronomers think that the Moon formed after another planet-sized object smacked into the Earth about 4.5 billion years ago, this event is sometimes called "The Big Splat" #NAW2025

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A month was originally based on the time it took the Moon to go through all its phases, acting as a natural calendar. We only ever see one side of the Moon - the other side looks quite different. The Moon isn’t the only object in our sky that shows phases - Venus does too! #NAW2025

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A quick reminder, that for events from February onwards (this Saturday onwards) we will be reverting to showing the actual start time of the Planetarium show on the ticket. Visitors are welcome to arrive up to 45 minutes before that time to enjoy the cafe and exhibition.

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Did you know? 🤔Our venue is primarily run by volunteers from the Sherwood Observatory Astronomical Society, with just two paid staff members. As a charity, we are not as well-resourced as other visitor attractions but are determined to inspire many more to take an interest in Astronomy and STEM.

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Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review on either Google or Tripadvisor. We read all reviews and are grateful for your support as we develop our events at Sherwood Observatory. To leave a review: Tripadvisor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://bit.ly/3WtYglz Google ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://bit.ly/3E1uChs

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Just a reminder that tickets for shows in January state the start of your visit slot, with your Planetarium show starting 45 mins after that time. This allows you time to enjoy the cafe and exhibition before your show starts.

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✨Until Sat 8th Feb our Planetarium Shows will be followed by a special feature to mark National Astronomy Week (1-8 Feb). We’ll chase the Moon across the sky, past three planets and a treasure trove of stars. All you need to do is look up! 👉🏼https://sherwood-observatory.org.uk/events #NAW2025

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We trialled a new approach to booking times in January, providing you with a timeslot. We’ve listened to feedback that it is not working for you. From February we will revert to publishing the actual show times on the ticket, with an option to arrive 45 min earlier to enjoy the exhibition and cafe.

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We have a few Tickets available for the following Planetarium Shows this week. Visit our website for: Show details 👉🏼https://sherwood-observatory.org.uk/latest-events/planetarium-shows Ticket booking 👉🏼https://sherwood-observatory.org.uk/events

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