Our Stargazing event for 2026 took place on our University of Portsmouth campus where we welcomed attendees of all ages to join us for an evening exploring the wonders of the Universe.
Astronomers and cosmologists from the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation and staff and students from the University of Portsmouth teamed up with the Hampshire Astronomical Group, Airbus Defence and Space, Portsmouth Libraries, Space South Central, Plextek, the National Museum of the Royal Navy and more.
Attendees experienced an evening packed with interactive exhibits and activities, a full schedule of public talks and night sky viewing through telescopes (and via remote link to Clanfield Observatory) with the Hampshire Astronomical Group (weather permitting).
We'll confirm our Stargazing event for 2027 shortly - in the meantime take a look at our programme from this year.
Stargazing 2026 Talk Programme
Please see below for the activities that took place in the evening.
A History of the Universe in 60 million galaxies
Speaker: Sesh Nadathur, ICG
Time: 6.20pm - 6.35pm
Location: Portland Lecture Theatre 1.74
Ages 10+
Tour of the Night Sky
Presented by: The Hampshire Astronomical Group
Times: 6.30pm - 6.50pm and 7.50pm - 8.10pm
Location: Portland Lecture Theatre 0.41
Gravitational Waves: Where we are, and where we will be
Speaker: Charlie Hoy, ICG
Time: 6.45pm - 7.00pm
Location: Portland Lecture Theatre 1.74
Ages 10+
Life and Death of Stars
Speaker: Steve Broadbent, Hampshire Astronomical Group
Time: 7.10pm-7.25pm
Location: Portland Lecture Theatre 1.74
Ages 10+
Cosmic Telescopes: Looking at the Universe through gravitational lenses
Speaker: Giovanni Granata, ICG
Time: 7.35pm - 7.50pm
Location: Portland Lecture Theatre 1.74
Ages 13+
Does dark matter fall like everything else? A test of gravity with galaxy surveys
Speaker: Nastassia Grimm, ICG
Time: 8.00pm - 8.15pm
Location: Portland Lecture Theatre 1.74
Ages 11+
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