Join us for an evening of stargazing at Richborough Roman Fort, once the gateway to Roman Britain and an atmospheric setting to explore the night sky.

Led by the South East Kent Astronomical Society (SEKAS), this family-friendly session is suitable for ages 5 and up.

You’ll have the chance to:

✨ Witness a rare six-planet 'planet parade' (weather permitting), as Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune all appear close together in the night sky.

✨ Use telescopes to observe planets, stars, constellations and other cosmic wonders (weather permitting).

✨ Learn fascinating insights about the night sky from experienced amateur astronomers and astrophotographers.

✨ Learn the classical stories behind our names for the planets and constellations, just as the Romans would have before us.

How to prepare:

• Dress warmly—it can get very cold outside at night!
• Bring a torch or phone with a torch function (red light preferred to preserve night vision). You can find a red-light tutorial for iPhone here, or if you're using Android, apps like Twilight: Blue Light Filter or Red Light can help.
• Enhance your experience by pre-downloading a stargazing app like Stellarium or SkyView Lite ahead of time. There are lots of free options available.
• Optional: Bring folding chairs, blankets, flasks and binoculars for added comfort and personal stargazing.

Important notes:

• The event will take place on grass which may be wet and uneven, so please wear appropriate footwear and take care when crossing the site.
• Children and young people under the age of 18 must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult. We do not recommend this session for children under 5.
• The event is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled or cancelled at short notice. Any changes will be communicated by email, so please check if you've received a message from us before setting out for the site.