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Ideal SaturN-Day Night viewing! See Saturn up close in this year’s space-themed celebration.

Paisley Museum and Coats Observatory will be throwing open their doors on Saturday 18 May for a one off evening event packed with out-of-this-world activities.

Running as part of the national Museums at Night festival; Paisley Museum’s very own ‘SaturN-Day Night’ event offers a programme of free, astronomical activities suitable for all the family.

Museums at Night is the annual, after-hours celebration of arts, culture and heritage when hundreds of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites open their doors for special evening events.

Coats Observatory

From 7.30pm at Paisley Museum, visitors can catch a show in our brand new digital Planetarium, or settle down to hear a Space Story, read in the stunning, new-look Pillar Gallery. Plus there will be plenty of hands-on activities for creative kids and those interested in science and film; with a Van de Graff experiment, make your own zoetrope and cosmic crafts.

Then, at 10pm as the light fades, SaturN-Day Night moves into the Dome in Coats Observatory for a spot of Saturn viewing and stargazing through the telescopes. An undisputed jewel in the crown of our solar system, Saturn is a sight that once seen, is never forgotten!

Renfrewshire Arts & Museums’ Observatory Officer John Pressly explained what visitors can hope to see (weather permitting of course!) on May 18.

“In May, Saturn has just gone past opposition – when it is directly opposite the Sun – meaning it will be at its brightest in the sky. Around 10.30pm, when the sky darkens, the planet will be shining brightly in the south-east. Visitors will see Saturn up close, including its rings, composed of billions of pieces of rock, ice and dust that constantly orbit the planet and may even catch a glimpse of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, the only other place in the Solar System apart from Earth where liquid flows on the surface.” 

SaturN-Day Night will run from 7.30pm – Midnight. Please see below for the full list of activities and times.

Planetarium Shows 

7.45pm, 8.30pm & 9.15pm

Coats Observatory

Booking essential on 0141 618 5087. Max of 15 places per show. Suitable for ages 5+. Each show lasts 20 mins.

Experience our new state-of-the-art digital planetarium taking you on a journey through distant galaxies and star clusters, zooming in on constellations and objects too faint to be seen except through a powerful telescope, all without leaving the comfort of your chair.

Space Stories 

7.30pm and 8.30pm

Paisley Museum

Please book at front desk on the night. Max of 25 places per session.

Come along to our storytelling sessions and escape into the magical world of ‘The Little Prince’ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – an enchanting children’s tale about a pilot stranded in the desert who meets a young prince fallen to Earth from a tiny asteroid. A fascinating story for children and adults alike.

Family Arts Activities 

7.30pm to 9.30pm

Paisley Museum

Drop-in activities including:

  • Fantastic Film – discover the science behind early film and create your own zoetrope and a short animation.
  • Van de Graff experiment – a mini science experiment with the Van De Graff generator and a microscope
  • Plus many more space-themed activities…

 

Saturn Viewing 

10pm to 12midnight

Coats Observatory (entry at this time will be via Oakshaw St)

The Dome will be open to allow visitors the chance to take in spectacular sightings though the telescope and to view mesmerising sights of Saturn at its best.*

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

*Please note this activity is weather dependant.

For further information on Museums at Night, future events, exhibitions or shows log on to www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/events or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/renfrewshirearts.

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X