Ray Morgan: Southend Planetarium: Not Just for Kids

February 14, 2017 by Ray Morgan

I've just come back from an amazing break away in London celebrating my partner Jo's birthday. The 'weekend' started on Thursday in fact, and I could tell you details of fancy hotels, many gin cocktails, live music, lie-ins, room service and foodie adventures, but I don't want to rub it in.

And anyway, this is leigh-on-sea.com - I'd rather tell you about something a bit more local. Jo wanted to spend Saturday doing Southend-y things (not that one is tired of London, you must understand). We went to Southend Planetarium - somewhere neither of us had ever been despite growing up here. We took some dear friends and their kids (which included a 10 and 11 year old) and went up the austere staircase of the brilliant Southend Museum, dusting snow off our coats. We really didn't know what to expect but paid our £5 entry fee and piled into a darkened room...

What followed was a 50-minute show all about the night sky, constellations, mythology, science, and space. It was a nice mix of kids and adults - and we all had the chance to shout out answers to questions that the presenter, the fantastic and engaging Wendy, asked us. There's something comforting about shouting out the answer to a question in the dark - you feel like if you get it wrong, it's okay. Our eyes were gradually adjusting to the dark, and the fake night-sky above us on the planetarium dome was beguiling.

There were two amazing space nerds in the group (both under 10 I'd guess) who put us all to shame as they shouted out things like "Meteorite!" and "Pegasus!"

I don't remember being taught about constellations at school. If we were, I have no recollection, because I felt like I was learning something completely new, which is always fun as an adult. Wendy showed us what the constellations were, what the mythology was behind them. She told us great facts about the planets in our solar system that I'd forgotten too. It whizzed by in no time and then we got the chance to ask our own questions at the end, as our eyes gradually adjusted to the light again.

I really recommend going along - no matter what age you are.

Southend Planetarium shows are every Saturday 11am & 3pm and Tuesdays (11am & 3pm) in school holidays. The Saturday 11am performance will provide an in depth look at astronomy.

Pre booking essential on 01702 212345; £5.00 / £4.00 for children and seniors (no children under 5).

'Stories in the sky' is also available in school holidays for children under 7. Find out more at southendmuseums.co.uk