We hold regular public star gazing & solar gazing sessions at Great Notley Country Park and thank Essex County Council and the park wardens for their assistance with these events.

We will have telescopes set up for you to observe the Moon, any visible planets and other objects of interest in the night sky, or to safely observe the Sun for daytime sessions. We can teach you about the constellations and how to recognise them. We can answer any questions you may have about astronomy or telescopes.

Event Times

Star gazing: Check individual events

Solar gazing: Check individual events

In the event of rain or severe weather, sessions may be cancelled. Please follow our Facebook and Twitter feeds for information as to whether the event will go ahead, or call the park on 0333 0132900. We aim to post updates on the day, around mid-morning for solar gazing and mid-afternoon for star gazing.

If the weather is partially clear we will still be available to answer questions, but viewing may be limited. We are ever hopeful of a break in the clouds, but may finish early if the weather shows no signs of improvement.

If the forecast is for solid clouds we will review the situation and take a decision whether there is a possibility of a break in the clouds.

Important: Please check our website and social media before setting out in case we have had to cancel the event for any reason.

Cost and Booking

The events are free and there is no need to book in advance, just turn up on the day. Please be aware that normal site parking fees apply.

Suitability

Events are suitable for all ages but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Disabled Access

The route from the disabled parking area to the star gazing location consists of tarmac and hard gravel paths. The route to the solar gazing area requires crossing a grassed area. Please contact the park for more information. We try our best to enable everyone to look through our telescopes. If you have mobility issues that make it difficult or impossible to stand, it may not be possible for you to reach the eyepiece.

A Few Common Sense Points

In order to make the event safe and fun for all, please observe the following:

  • You must park in the public car park. The site is off limits to cars during the event for the safety of everyone, and only our volunteers have the park’s permission to park on site.
  • If you own a telescope and need help with it, you are welcome to bring it along and we will try to assist you. Unfortunately this is not usually possible on busy nights when the sky is clear due to the numbers attending.
  • You are responsible for your equipment and will need carry it from the public car park. We are unable to assist with transporting your equipment and accept no liability for any damage that may be caused to it. Only our members are covered by public liability insurance at our events, so please be aware of this before letting other members of the public use your telescope.
  • We understand that you may be using a torch to walk across the park but please keep the light shining downwards at all times and keep it switched off around the telescopes. No flash photography please unless you want to see grumpy astronomers!
  • Our volunteers may use safe laser pointers to show you things in the sky, but members of the public are not permitted to use their own pointers at our events. If you are seen using a laser pointer, you will be asked to return it to your vehicle or leave the event.
  • Well behaved dogs are welcome but please keep them on a short leads near the telescopes to avoid accidents.
  • Please supervise your children at all times, our volunteers cannot take responsibility for them.
  • No eating, drinking or smoking around the telescopes please.

greatnotleypcWe would like to thank Great Notley Parish Council for their generous support in sponsoring some of our equipment purchases.

 

Event Location

If you’ve been to the park in the summer when it’s very busy, you may have seen the overflow car park. That’s where you’ll find us.

If it’s your first time as you drive into the park the road takes you around to the right through the barriers in to the main car park. Please park here, DO NOT TRY TO PARK IN THE OVERFLOW CAR PARK. Head from the main car park to the Discovery Centre and then follow the path to the left to the overflow car park where you will find us..
In the picture, the blue X is roughly where the barriers to the main car park are and the red X is approximately where we’ll be.

Getting There

For more information about Great Notley Country Park and how to get there, click here.

A Google Maps link is here. The Discovery Centre is well signposted.

For satnav purposes, the park’s postcode is CM77 7FS which will take you directly to the Discovery Centre.

 

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