Our annual Stargazing at RAL event will next be held on Friday 23 January 2026, both online and in person at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire. Join us online for live streaming of our astronomy talks and shows for families and adults alike. This year we will be hosting three talks online, including a planetarium show of the night sky.

Discoveries at the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, with the Astronomer Royal 
The Astronomer Royal is an honorary position advising the monarch on astronomical matters. Professor Michele Dougherty is the current Astronomer Royal, appointed in July 2025, and is the first woman to hold the title in 350 years. Michele serves as an advisor to the King on astronomical matters.  One of the most important realisations that planetary scientists have come to in the last 30 years is that in the search for potential habitability in our solar system, the focus need not only be on planets close to the Sun.  Based on observations from instruments on the GALILEO spacecraft at Jupiter and the CASSINI spacecraft at Saturn, there are many potential places in our solar system where liquid water oceans may exist below the surface. On Earth, life thrives in the deepest, darkest parts of our oceans near hydrothermal vents. Could life similarly evolve or survive in the ocean floors of Jupiter’s three largest moons, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa.

Comet Show 
Have you ever wondered what a comet really is? Join us to discover more about why comets are called ‘dirty snowballs’ and learn more about a space mission to land on one! During this show, we will explain what makes comets different from other things in space and help cook up a dry-ice comet as part of the comet show. Fun for all the family! 

A short trip around the night sky 
Join us for guaranteed cloud-free trip around the night sky to learn some of the easier to spot constellations and to hear some of the stories around them. Sit back and enjoy the stories of the skies. 

Bookings will go live on the link below on Friday 9 January 2026.