Tonight the Summer Milky Way arches high overhead the darkest skies in the UK. Come along to the UKs only true dark sky public observatory and see the wonders of the summer Milky Way. Let us guide you through this incredible sight with our famed delivery team, using the powerful telescopes and expert tuition...a night to remember, also we will have...
A very special event, part of our "Mankind Exploring Space" series of distinguished Guest Speakers! 

Ever wanted to go into space? To take off and watch Earth vanish beneath you...to see the haze of the atmosphere? To see our home planet from a whole new perspective... Join us to hear a pioneer of spaceflight engineering speak about current spaceflight technology...and when you'll be able to go there yourself. David Ashford is the managing director of Bristol Spaceplanes (BSP). BSP design and build planes for space flight, bringing low-cost access to space and space tourism from a long-term vision to a serious short-term prospect. BSP has worked with the European Space Agency and their technology has been used by NASA.

David has a degree in astronautical engineering and has worked in the field since the early 1960s - he has been involved in projects such as the European Aerospace Transporter (spaceplane), the DC-8, DC-10, Concorde, the Skylark Sounding Rocket, and several missile and electronic warfare systems. He co-wrote the first serious books on space tourism, "Your Spaceflight Manual - How You Could be a Tourist in Space Within Twenty Years" and "Spaceflight Revolution"

This event promises to be an incredible one. After David's talk, there will be an opportunity to ask him any questions you may have. Then, we will head out to gaze at the starry night time skies and dream of flying heavenwards...before a Earth-bound tour of the Observatory. When it's dark, we will use our powerful telescopes to gaze longingly at the planets, stars and galaxies in our visible Universe.... and dream of one day heading out there on a daytrip!