25 GREAT SPACE DAYS OUT

From fascinating hardware and rocket launches to planetariums and observatories, Earth is full of out-of-this-world attractions

- Stuart Atkinson

One day there will be museums on the Moon and Mars, where visitors will be able to see the probes, landers and rovers that explored them back in the 20th century. But today our own planet has many out-of-this-world attractions. Just like the universe itself, the world is full of hidden astronomical wonders that deserve exploration. Catching some Sun on a beach is fine, and so is a shopping trip or visit to the theatre during a city break, but for a change, how about a day out where you can learn more about space, space exploration and astronomy?

For anyone wanting to know more about the night sky, there are some wonderful planetariums. Most hold seasonal shows with special themes, and now their projection systems are so technologically advanced that you can enjoy full-dome 3D films as you lay back in your seat. There are many educational space centres that double as observatories in the evening, offering fascinating exhibitions by day and real-life expert-led stargazing by night – and perhaps even the chance to peer through a big telescope.

Elsewhere there are fabulous museums stuffed with natural space-related wonders such as Moon rocks and meteorites from other planets. Many are also home to landmark space artefacts and hardware with incredible stories to tell. A Saturn V rocket, the Apollo 11 capsule and even Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit can all be viewed if you know where to look. More modern spaceships are also on display – the Space Shuttle Atlantis can now be visited in Florida, and if you visit London’s Science Museum you’ll be able to see Tim Peake’s charred Soyuz re-entry capsule on show. Most of the venues on our list also have gift shops, so if you want a souvenir of your visit you’ll be able to buy everything from pens and books to telescopes and a portable planetarium of your very own.