South Downs Planetarium & Science Centre
The South Downs Planetarium is a 100 seat planetarium located in Chichester, West Sussex and is entirely volunteer run. The planetarium project was started in 1992 by members of the South Downs Astronomical Society, who aimed to set up a Centre to promote astronomy and science on the south coast of England. In 1994 West Sussex County Council made available a plot of land and a barn which after subsequent rebuilding formed the main planetarium building. Simultaneously a Viewlex-Minolta IIb projector was retired by the Armagh Planetarium and acquired for the South Downs Planetarium. After a seven year fundraising campaign, led by the project’s patron Sir Patrick Moore, the star theatre was completed and the planetarium opened in June 2001 and was inaugurated by the Astronomer Royal in 2002.
In addition to presentations in the star theatre, there is a learning centre featuring NASA videos, a meteorite display and other children’s activities. The Planetarium operates throughout the year, but is not open every day. Members of the public are welcome to visit the Planetarium at the show times listed on their website. The planetarium places a focus on learning and is available for educational visits, given by an experienced lecturer. It is available for private hire and is close to both the A27 and railway station.