The Schools' Observatory News

May 2025

  International Sun Day & New Resource! 

International Sun Day, celebrated on 3^rd May, is a reminder of just how vital the Sun is, not only for life on Earth but also as a source of energy and scientific discovery.  

What better way to mark the day than with our brand new activity: 

• Investigate How the Sun Supports Life – Use a simple leaf experiment to explore how plants use sunlight to make oxygen through photosynthesis. A perfect way to show how the Sun supports all life on Earth! 

There’s more to explore in our growing collection of Sun-themed activities: 

• What is the Sun? – A short video exploring the size, temperature, structure, and age of our nearest star.
• Predict the Solar Cycle – Use real data from NASA’s SDO mission to track solar activity and try your hand at predicting space weather.
• What Can We See on the Sun? – Learn about sunspots, solar flares, and the ever-changing surface of the Sun.
• Our Sun Quiz – Test your knowledge of the Sun with this quick and engaging quiz.
• What is a Sundial? – Discover how ancient civilisations told time using shadows and the Sun’s movement.
• Make a Sundial – Build your own sundial and track the time using the Sun’s position in the sky. 

Celebrate the Sun this May with activities that shine a light on just how important our closest star truly is!

Deaf Awareness Week

Deaf Awareness Week runs from 5^th to 11^th May, celebrating the Deaf community, their language, culture, and history. It is also a time to reflect on how we can make science and education more accessible to everyone. 

Did you know that we have a selection of videos available in British Sign Language (BSL)? Explore our BSL YouTube playlist to discover astronomy topics presented in a more inclusive way. 

This week, and every week, we celebrate the importance of making science open and welcoming to all. 

International Day of Light 

Light is essential for life on Earth and for exploring the universe beyond it! On 16^th May, we celebrate the International Day of Light, recognising the crucial role light plays in science, culture, and education. 

Astronomers rely on light to study distant planets, stars, and galaxies. Why not take this opportunity to explore the science of light with your students? 

Try one of our hands-on activities: 

• Explore Light – Investigate how reflective surfaces can change the direction of a light beam.
• Light and Mirrors Card Match – Test your knowledge of light by matching key terms to their definitions.
• Measure the Speed of Light – Calculate the speed of light using some simple kitchen equipment.
• Make Your Own Pinhole Camera – Build a pinhole camera to safely view sources of light, including the Sun.
• Make Your Own Spectroscope – Create a spectroscope to split light into its different wavelengths and explore the hidden colours within. 

Celebrate the wonders of light this May and discover just how much it reveals about the universe around us!

World Metrology Day

From measuring the height of mountains on the Moon to calculating the distance to distant stars, accurate measurement is at the heart of astronomy. World Metrology Day on 20^th May marks the importance of measurement in science, technology, and everyday life. 

Explore how measurement helps us unlock the secrets of space with these activities: 

• Measure Distance with Parallax – Determine the distance and velocity of Barnard’s Star using the parallax effect.
• Measure Mountains on the Moon – Use high-resolution images and maths to investigate the heights of lunar mountains.
• Measure a Day on Jupiter – Estimate how long it takes the gas giant to complete one full rotation using real telescope data.
• Investigate the Size of a Planet – Observe a planet and calculate its size yourself using Go Observing and AstroLab.
• Investigate the Size of a Galaxy – Measure the true size of a galaxy and explore what millions of stars really look like from a far. 

Celebrate the power of precise measurement and how it helps us make sense of the cosmos!

National Walking Month 

May is National Walking Month, a great excuse to get outside, stretch your legs, and enjoy the world around you. 

But why stop at Earth? This month, take your walk out of this world with some space-themed activities! 

• Walk the Solar System – Take part in a scaled Solar System walk and get a sense of just how big space really is. It’s not as far as you think (well… sort of).
• Cosmic Yoga – This relaxing activity blends yoga and astronomy, perfect for outdoor breaks or a peaceful end to the day. 

Whether you're striding through the stars or stretching among the planets, these activities are a fun way to get active and stay connected to the cosmos.

May the 4^th be with you! 

We haven’t forgotten our fellow space nerds! 4^th May is affectionately known as Star Wars Day, and we’re always happy to celebrate anything that gets people excited about space, even if it involves lightsabers and Wookiees. 

Whether you’re teaching lessons in the Outer Rim or just quietly humming the Imperial March, we hope you enjoy the day in true galactic fashion. 

Here's a little cosmic humour to mark the occasion: 

• Why did Luke struggle with his physics homework? Because he kept resisting the Force!

Look to the Sky!

Plan your stargazing adventures with our May astronomy calendar! Download it to display at home or in the classroom. Get ready for an exciting month of celestial events, including Meteor showers and conjunctions between the Moon and some of the Solar System’s most impressive planets. Don’t miss out on what the night sky has to offer!

Download and display May's astronomy calendar!