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Please read the How to Avoid Major Roadworks
Important DO NOT rely on Google Maps
There is no direct access off the Chichester Bypass. All access via
Kingsham Road only.
SEE MAP BELOW.
Satnav postcode use PO19 8EB
What Three Words App Data
The only entrance for walkers, cars buses, lorries, coaches, PoGo sticks or Space Hoppers, is by the High School entrance in Kingsham Road, then follow the signs to "The South Downs Planetarium and Science centre" It is located at the southern end of the Chichester High Schools campus.
Drivers accessing the Planetarium must enter Kingsham Road from the east (via Whyke Road and Kingsham Avenue), ignoring "Road Closed" signs, and continue to the High School gates. Pedestrians face no restrictions, though drivers should allow extra travel time.
See also the Important section on this page entitled 'Direction & Map
Drivers accessing the Planetarium must enter Kingsham Road from the east (via Whyke Road and Kingsham Avenue), ignoring "Road Closed" signs, and continue to the High School gates. Pedestrians face no restrictions, though drivers should allow extra travel time.
See also the Important section on this page entitled 'Direction & Map
Open ONLY 45 minutes before show time OR by prior arrangement
During the autumn months it is getting darker much earlier in the evening. From a clear, dark site the autumn stars are nicely on view.
The two largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, are visible as soon as darkness falls. The distinctive Red Planet Mars is also visible later on, rising in the eastern sky.. The planet brightens throughout November and is closest to Earth on 1st December, when it will be just over 48 million miles away from Earth.
The familiar saucepan-shaped pattern of the Plough or Big Dipper is now getting rather low in the North, but the easy to identify W-shaped pattern of Cassiopeia, the Queen, is almost overhead during autumn evenings. The faint smudge of the Andromeda Galaxy may also be glimpsed from very dark sites, just below Cassiopeia.
The two largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, are visible as soon as darkness falls. The distinctive Red Planet Mars is also visible later on, rising in the eastern sky.. The planet brightens steadily throughout October, November and December. By mid-January 2025 it will be just under 60 million miles away from Earth.
Of the two giant planets, Jupiter is much the brighter of the two and considerably further east than Saturn. Jupiter makes spectacular viewing. Its four largest moons and its stripy cloud belts are visible even with a small telescope. Saturn’s rings are now closing and are not as well displayed as they were just a few years ago.
The Moon’s ever changing phases are displayed as the Moon waxes and wanes from month to month. When the Moon is new at the beginning of October, November and December, the absence of moonlight will enable you to have a clear view of the fainter stars and constellation patterns.
Come to the Planetarium for a fascinating whistlestop tour of the autumn night sky.
Important DO NOT rely on Google Maps
There is no direct access off the Chichester Bypass. All access
via
Kingsham Road only.
SEE MAP BELOW.
Satnav postcode use PO19 8EB
What Three Words App Data
The only entrance for walkers, cars buses, lorries, coaches, PoGo sticks or Space Hoppers, is by the High School entrance in Kingsham Road, then follow the signs to "The South Downs Planetarium and Science centre" It is located at the southern end of the Chichester High Schools campus.
Drivers accessing the Planetarium must enter Kingsham Road from the east (via Whyke Road and Kingsham Avenue), ignoring "Road Closed" signs, and continue to the High School gates. Pedestrians face no restrictions, though drivers should allow extra travel time.
See also the Important section on this page entitled 'Direction & Map
Only open 45 minutes before advertised show times, or by prior arrangement.
Note for Satnav users.
Satnav postcode use PO19 8EB
The South Downs Planetarium one of two car parks.
All public areas of the Planetarium are accessible to wheelchairs. Disabled parking bays are available
The Planetarium has two easy access, gender neutral toilets, one of which is slightly larger so as to accommodate carers if this is necessary.
The seats in the main auditorium are ex-aircraft seats. Those in the first two rows are set at a slightly reclined angle to provide the best possible view. They can, however, be tipped forwards to enable easier access to the rows behind when entering and leaving. The seats in the back row do not recline. They provide a wide view of the entire dome area, which some of our visitors prefer. The auditorium is fully accessible to wheelchairs.