For the first time, our Stargazing event will be happening on the University of Portsmouth campus, and we welcome 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 are teaming 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.
Expect 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).
Event details
Wednesday 28 January 2026
6.00pm to 8.30pm - with entry at 6.00pm and 7.00pm
Portland Building, PO1 3AH
Stargazing 2026 Talk Programme
Please see below for the details of our key talks programme for 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, 7.00pm - 7.20pm and 7.30pm - 7.50pm
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+
Get a taste of what's to come
University celebrates World Space Week in Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation leads a programme of events to mark World Space Week next month.
Stargazing citizens lead university scientists to major exploding star discovery
University of Portsmouth collaboration with University of Warwick and over 3,500 citizen scientists identifies new cataclysmic star
