The final open evening in our popular Observatory event calendar, for this season, will be Wednesday 18 March from 6pm to 9pm, when, weather permitting, we will be looking at the moon and any planets and stars that we can find, through our lovely historic Cooke telescope.

The Observatory is very small so space is limited, particularly on the viewing platform around the telescope.

Free, timed tickets are available for the observatory itself (maximum of 4 per booking). Children under 5 do not need a ticket but please be aware that the steps up to the telescope are steep and difficult to negotiate whilst carrying a child. Please be prepared to wait outside the observatory until it is time for your slot.

In addition, there will be regular sky tours, from the lawns outside the Observatory, using binoculars. You do not need a ticket for the sky tour, just come along. Bring your own binoculars if you have them and be aware that if it is very busy, you may not hear the commentary.

If the weather is cloudy, please feel free to bring your tablet or smartphone with any stargazing app already loaded so you can see through the clouds with your device.

Pick up a guide to making a pin-hole camera, ready for the eclipse event on Friday 20th (the observatory will be open in the morning from c8:30am to 9:45am when we hope the partial eclipse will be visible).

How far away is the sun?

Walk our planet trail illuminated in the gardens.

In the event of poor weather, please still come! as we will be providing a very interesting virtual sky tour from inside the observatory itself.

Important: to reduce light pollution and aid our viewing, the external lights in the gardens will be switched off.

The tours will stick to the main lawn but please make sure that you wear suitable footwear and bring a torch to help you to stick to the paths on your way to and from the Observatory. Red lights are best so that you can still see the stars (so bike lights are ideal), but any torch will do. Wrap up warm.

The Yorkshire Museum will NOT be open during this event, so there will be no refreshments or toilet facilities available in the gardens, and only the main gates on Lendal will be open.

The nearest public toilets are in Silver Street and will be open until 7pm.

Please click here to book your place on this event.