Public Open Evenings
Public open evenings are held at Bayfordbury Observatory between November and March.
Spaces are limited so booking is required in advance.
What you can expect
Our Open Evenings are self-guided events where visitors can choose how to spend their time. There is no set tour, instead a variety of activities are on offer throughout the site, supported by our knowledgable team of students and researchers. If you would prefer a guided visit, please see our Guided Astronomy Evenings.
During these events, you can:
- See some of our optical telescopes and, weather permitting, view interesting objects in the sky both looking through the telescopes and using high-sensitivity cameras.
- Meet the researchers, postgraduate and undergraduate students from the University's Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics.
- See expert demonstrations in our lab.
Attend talks on various astronomy topics.
- Talk to members of the local Hertford Astronomy Group
- Enjoy a tour around the sky in one of our planetariums.
These evenings are tailored specifically for the public so that adults and children alike can all enjoy the event, regardless of previous experience with astronomy.
Please note that the position and visibility of planets and the Moon change throughout the year, and we may not be able to show you your favourites. This is unfortunately beyond our control. Only the very brightest planets, and a handful of galaxies and nebulae will show any detail or colour with an eyepiece, and therefore many of the telescopes will be equipped with sensitive cameras to show you live images of targets that would otherwise be invisible to your eye.
If we do not have any Open Evenings coming up, consider our Guided Astronomy Evenings, which are run through the rest of the year. Perfect for individuals, families or small groups, these are a blend of our popular Open Evenings and Private Astronomy Visits.
If you have a group of more than 10, for the best experience please consider our Private Astronomy Visits which will allow us to tailor your visit to the experience of attendees and give you a fully guided tour. Run all year round, find out more about booking a Private Astronomy Visit. Open Evenings are not suitable for large groups.
Ticket Prices
- Standard: £20
- Concessions: £15 (under 25s, students, people in receipt of Pension Credits, Universal Credit, Income Support or Job Seekers allowance, and disabled people (with free entry for one carer with carer ticket) are entitled to a concession discount)
- Children: £10 (under 16)
- Children under 3 are free
Upcoming open evenings
Booking and payment is required in advance as spaces are limited and demand is high.
We have a range of staggered arrival times to manage limited parking. Please limit your visit to 2 hours.
First entry is at 5.30pm where there is plenty to do before the first themed talk/quiz beginning at 6.45pm.
Research talk titles and times will be released in advance of the evening. Titles and timings may be subject to change based on volunteers' schedules.
Please note: if you wish to see both talks, you may not have time for a planetarium show.
6.45pm - Quiz aimed towards children and families
7.45pm - Research talk from one of the University's Astrophysics researchers
Tickets
Friday 27th November 2026 - Black Hole Friday: Exploring the Mysteries of Black Holes
Book tickets for 5.30pm - 7.30pm - SOLD OUT
Book tickets for 6pm - 8pm - one ticket left
Book tickets for 7.30pm - 9.30pm - SOLD OUT
Coming soon
Friday 29th January 2027 -
Friday 19th February 2027 -
Friday 12th March 2027 -
Other events
We have other opportunities to visit Bayfordbury Observatory, please see our event options of Guided Astronomy Evenings, , and School trips. Or we could visit you with our Mobile Planetarium.
FAQ
-What happens if the weather is bad?
The visit will run as planned, with the exception of opening the domes and looking through the telescopes. You will still be able to visit the domes and see how the telescopes operate. The telescopes are a small part of the evening and there are plenty of other activities to enjoy along with the telescopes.
Please check the weather before visiting, and prepare for walking in the rain if necessary (umbrella, rain coat and sensible footwear).
-If I need to cancel my reservation, can I get a refund?
We do not offer refunds if you cancel or miss your booking.
Previous open evenings
20 Mar 2026 - The Sky in Motion: Exploring with the Vera Rubin Observatory
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-What happens if the weather is bad?
The visit will run as planned, with the exception of opening the domes and looking through the telescopes. You will still be able to visit the domes and see how the telescopes operate. The telescopes are a small part of the evening and there are plenty of other activities to enjoy along with the telescopes.
Please check the weather before visiting, and prepare for walking in the rain if necessary (umbrella, rain coat and sensible footwear).
-If I need to cancel my reservation, can I get a refund?
We do not offer refunds if you cancel or miss your booking.
What our
visitors say
The view through the telescopes was a highlight. I would highly recommend this evening and I hope to make a return visit in the not to distant future.