The Moon Palace bus is now fully booked. However, there are still plenty of spaces available for the evening planetarium sessions, which Stevenage residents can attend on a first come, first served basis. The times available are: 

• Friday from 7.20pm - 9pm
• Saturday from 6.10pm - 8.50pm

Alongside this, Junction 7 Creatives is offering Friday evening activities and an all-day drop-in session on Saturday where children can create galaxy pictures. Both do not need to be booked. We’ll also have Mad Science, Airbus, Letchworth District Astronomy Society, North Herts college and council officers based in the leisure centre Saturday afternoon from 1pm for more space inspiration and fun!

The event will combine creativity, art, engineering and science across a Moon Palace bus, mobile planetarium, and Junction 7 Creatives.

The planetarium will be offering 15-minute shows, offering an immersive experience focused on the wonder of the cosmos.

Over at Junction 7 Creatives, there will be a drop-in creative workshop, open mic readings, and the chance to create your own galaxy artwork for younger visitors.

Councillor Loraine Rossati, Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Transport at Stevenage Borough Council, said: 

“Moon Palace will bring a sense of awe and wonder to Stevenage, blending art and science, and making them accessible to all.

“We hope that these events will spark people’s enthusiasm for space, and there is also the chance to learn more about careers in the arts, technology and science – including game design, medical illustration, and architecture.”

John Prebbles, Director, at Junction 7 Creatives, said:

“Moon Palace encourages us all to look up and wonder, to remember how enormous life and the universe are. Junction 7 is thrilled to be part of the Moon Palace adventure, offering people lots of opportunities to imagine and create, with art, poetry and more!”

Shanti Pise, Outreach & Public Engagement for School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire, said:

“Bringing the Moon Palace Bus to Stevenage allows us to connect science with local communities in meaningful ways. It’s about giving people of all backgrounds the chance to step inside, ask questions, be creative and see how space science relates to their own futures.

“We’re proud to be part of the Ogden Trust collaboration delivering the Moon Palace Bus in Stevenage alongside partners including the University of Leeds, Queen Mary and Durham University. Together, we’re opening space science to schools and communities, sparking curiosity and widening participation in STEM.”

The three locations are suitable for all ages. Under 14s will need to be accompanied by an adult. The bus and planetarium need to be booked in advance, and session times are restricted, so visitors need to arrive promptly for their session. The bus is accessible by wheelchair. The bus is also a shoe-free zone.

The event has been organised by Stevenage Borough Council, in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire and Junction 7 Creatives.