Lilac Class visit the Science Observatory at Herstmonceux

On the 15^th October Lilac Class spent the day visiting the Science Observatory at Herstmonceux.  We initially threw ourselves into a wide range of hands-on activities about Earth and Space, Light and Forces. 

We then took part in a Sun, Moon and Earth Workshop where we found out many interesting facts about the movement of these spherical bodies.  For example:

• While the Earth appears to be round or a sphere when viewed from space, it is actually an ellipsoid. 
• Earth's shape is ever-changing because it is over 70% water and is much fuller at the equator. 
• We can show using a torch the different phases of the Moon as it orbits the Earth and the Sun.  We have a ‘new Moon’ (a Moon we cannot see) when our Moon’s orbit around the Earth moves it between the Earth and the Sun. 
• From Earth, the Moon’s surface looks dark because it’s illuminated side is facing away from the Earth.
• In addition, we learnt that the far side of the Moon is full of craters. 

We also had a telescope tour and talk.  These are some of the facts we learnt:

• A curved mirror or lens gathers light from the night sky and the shape of the mirror or lens in a telescope concentrates (brings together) all this light. 
• A telescope has two lenses. The large one collects the light from a distant object and amplifies it so that the image is much brighter and bigger than what the eye normally sees. 

We saw a photograph of Saturn from Earth that we can see with the naked eye and then a photograph of Saturn taken by the telescope.  This photograph showed an amazing array of colours that were embedded in the rings. 

The Sun also shone for us and we were able to have a lovely picnic lunch outside!