Public Events
The Cardiff Astronomical Society (CAS) organises regular night sky and occasional solar observing events at its Observatory in Dyffryn Gardens or locations further afield. The events are either organised by CAS on its own, or run in conjunction with other organisations.
In addition, the Society's public outreach team has also answered many hundreds of questions about space and astronomy from our young visitors! Society officers also make visits to schools and scout meetings when requested.
Upcoming public events:
Helios - National Museum Cardiff
From 21st July 2026
UK artist Luke Jerram's seven-metre sun sculpture will be on display at the National Museum Cardiff from 21st July, including NASA imagery and a magical soundscape.
Click here to read more and book your tickets, free of charge!
Partial Solar Eclipse - Rest Bay Beach
12th August 2026
Join our friends at Bridgend Astronomical Society at Rest Bay Beach for a free public event celebrating the spectacular partial solar eclipse. Bring your family and friends and experience this memorable celestial event as the Moon passes in front of the Sun, creating one of the most impressive astronomical sights visible from the UK in recent years.
Society members will be on hand throughout the afternoon and evening with solar observing equipment and eclipse glasses, enabling everyone to enjoy the eclipse safely while learning more about this fascinating phenomenon. The event is free to attend and all are welcome, weather permitting.
Please find full details here.
You may also be interested in Techniquest's After Hours: Eclipsed event which will run from 7.30pm - 11pm.
Photonica 2026 - Ayeshire, Scotland
From 15th September 2026
This is a major five-day astronomy and space exhibition coming to Scotland in September.
Photonica is a FREE and immersive space exhibition exploring the beauty of our night skies in Ayrshire, beyond and across our universe — from vast and distant nebulae to the photons that shaped our understanding of the cosmos. Wander through curated visual installations, original photography and talks from Scotland's Astronomer Royal, astronomers and astrophotographers as well as interactive experiences crafted by an international group of artists and astronomers and more. See the space images that were used in the movie Project Hail Mary from Australian astrophotographer, Rod Prazeres.
For more information, please see www.photonica.co.uk
Links to some of our previous public events:
Solar viewing at Libanus - 20 June 2026
Museum of the Moon 4th April 2026
Museum After Dark 18th February 2026
CAS 50th Anniversary - Private Exhibition Viewing & Social at the Museum of Cardiff October 2025
Dark Sky Festival September 2025
SAFE solar viewing Bannau Brychieniog June 2025
Partial Eclipse 29th March 2025
Museum After Dark 26th Feb 2025
Dark Skies Festival Sep 21st 2024
SAFE solar viewing Bannau Brychieniog 220624
Museum After Dark 14th February 2024
Dark Skies Wales Festival Sept 23
St David's Hall Family Prom 8th July 2023
BBC Wales 100 at the National Museum of Wales
Stargazing at Brecon 16th September 2022
Solar Viewing at Brecon Visitor Centre 25th June 2022
Transit of Mercury observations at Dyffryn Gardens - 11 November 2019
Stargazing with Dark Sky Wales at Brecon - 18 October 2019
Apollo 11 Fiftieth Anniversary Event at National Museum Wales, Cardiff - 20 July 2019
Night Observing with the Open University at Brecon - 28 June 2019
St David's Hall, Cardiff - 25 June 2019
Solar Observing at Brecon Beacons - 22 June 2019
Star Attractions at the Museum - 19 January 2019
Space Capsule Family Day - 17 November 2018
Stargazing with Dark Sky Wales at Brecon - 26 October 2018
CAS/SPA Lectures - Saturday, 29 September 2018
Public Events - From Another Perspective
Solar Observing at Brecon Beacons - 23 June 2018
Star Attractions at the Museum - 13 January 2018
St Fagans Stargazing Event - 18 November 2017
Stargazing at Dyffryn Gardens - 28 October 2017
Stargazing at Brecon - 14 October 2017
Solar Viewing at Brecon - 30 July 2017
St Fagans Event - 19 November 2016
Stargazing at Dyffryn Gardens - 29 October 2016
Tim Peake at Techniquest - 13 October 2016
Perseid Shower - 11 August 2016
Solar Viewing at Brecon - 30 July 2016
Oxford Away Day - 18 June 2016
Techniquest - 15 December 2015
If you have attended one of our events, we would appreciate your feedback:
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON SATURDAY IN SUCH HORRID CONDITIONS.
You and your team never fail to amaze me with your generosity of time, experience and that “can do” attitude which is such an asset to our festival.
I do so appreciate your willingness from you and your lovely team who are happy so share their love of our dark skies.
Thank you also for helping to promote our festival which helps us greatly.
Carol Williams, Sustainable Tourism Officer, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority
Excellent. Very informative and interesting "volunteers".
Sue and David
Super evening, glad we came.
John and Family
Our third visit, and just as interesting each time. The explanations are clear and the advice on equipment very helpful. Thanks.
Garth
Enjoyed seeing the telescope and realy enjoyed the Stellarium presentation. Very interesting. Thank you! xxx
Sophie and Philip
Very helpful and friendly group of people. Hopefully, I'll be able to find objects in my new scope now! Thanks!
Gareth
Fascinating - great to actually use and see through a telescope!! Thank you.
Joan and Mike