Space Lates - Messages to Outer Space
Discover alien worlds, uncover the search for life and explore communicating in space with this inspiring evening of talks, activities, and exploration.
- 21st Nov 2025
- Tickets from £8.00
- Highly Engaging Talks and Workshops
- Very Limited Capacity
Join us as we discover alien worlds, uncover the search for life and explore communicating in space. With a packed programme of short, accessible talks, hands-on activities, and open galleries to explore, Space Lates is perfect for adults, families, and anyone with a curiosity for science.
Whether you’re drawn to the science, the creativity of life beyond the Earth, or the sheer wonder of space, this event offers something for everyone.
Enjoy 30-minute talks from leading experts, take part in interactive experiences, and move at your own pace through our galleries. Children are welcome to attend the talks, but parents and guardians should decide whether young attendees will enjoy the format.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the search for life, all in one exciting night.
Please note that the Rocket Tower and Tetrastar Spaceport will not be open during this event.
About Space Lates
All talks and activities are aimed at adults and families interested in science.
Children are welcome; however, parents/guardians need to decide if children are happy to attend accessible and engaging 30-minute talks.
This jam-packed evening is designed to allow you to choose and explore your top picks.
It's not expected that you'll be able to catch everything.
You are free to explore our galleries throughout the night.
Please note that the Rocket Tower and Tetrastar Spaceport will not be open.
Hot food can be pre-ordered when purchasing your ticket.
Our café will be open throughout the evening.
Guest Talks
Head to our Live Space and Boosters Café seating area to hear from our expert guest speakers.
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![Gareth Campbell Headshot Cropped]()
Gaz Lawrence The Art of Astrophysics
- 18:15
- Gaz Lawrence
- Interdisciplinary Artist and Founder, The MoSAIC
Join interdisciplinary artist Gaz, for an introduction to 'Paintings Unfit for Vision' - the latest chapter in his 'Art of Astrophysics' project, in collaboration with Dr Sebastian Von Haussegger. These paintings appear blank to the human eye, but when viewed through thermal imaging, landscapes of imagined exoplanets emerge. Inspired by the work of Caroline and William Herschel, Gaz invites us to consider the role of infrared astronomy in unveiling worlds beyond our narrow band of vision.
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![Hlittle]()
Hannah Little The Alien Linguist
- 18:15 and 20:15
- Dr. Hannah Little
- Lecturer in Communication and Media, University of Liverpool
Imagine aliens have landed on the Planet Earth and you are tasked with initiating communication with them. Linguistics expert Dr Hannah Little will talk us through everything we need to think about to communicate in a first contact situation. Using references from the world of Science Fiction and a very small Carl Sagan puppet, Hannah will not only prepare us for the potentially imminent arrival of alien visitors, but talk us through what first contact scenarios might teach us about communication down here on Earth!
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![Speaker To Be Announced]()
National Space Centre TBC
- 19:15
- TBC
- TBC
TBC
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![Andrew David 5]()
Andrew Robinson / David Clarke In the Eye of the Beholder – Imagining and Imaging UFOs
- 19:15 and 20:15
- Dr David Clarke and Andrew Robinson
- Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer in Photography, Centre for Contemporary Legend, Sheffield Hallam University
While people have an idea of what UFOs might look like, in recent years scientific study of this phenomena has dramatically increased. But where do these ideas originate and how have they become so influential? Join Dr David Clarke and Andrew Robinson to explore the legend surrounding UFO sightings and their origins in popular culture, including a practical demonstration of UFO fakery.
Please arrive at 19:00 (for the 19:15 talk) or 20:00 (for the 20:15 talk) to take part in a drawing exercise to be used in the talk!
Stargazing - 18:00-21:00
Meet the Leicester Astronomical Society to find out more about stargazing and to look through their telescopes. *weather permitting. Limited availability (first come, first served basis): Bring your own telescope along and members of the Leicester Astronomical Society will happily offer telescope setting-up advice.
Planetarium - show time: 19:45
Join a member of our Discovery team for an immersive Planetarium experience, sit back and relax as we journey together through the wonders of the Universe. Your presenter will guide you around the current, seasonal, night-time sky before venturing into space for a unique perspective of Earth and other more distant celestial objects.Activities
Join our Discovery team and Space Lates contributors for engaging hands-on science activities and demos.
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![Infrared art - Gaz]()
Gaz Lawrence Infrared Exoplanet Art
- 19:00-21:00 (drop-in)
- The MoSAIC
Drop in and explore the hidden world of infrared art with artist Gaz Lawrence. Question how his paintings are revealed only through
thermal imaging, experiment with materials to create your own exoplanet-inspired landscapes, and see your work come alive through an infrared camera. Gaz will also share insights into his practice and introduce the project in his talk 'The Art of Astrophysics' at 18:15. -
![The Arecibo Message.]()
Arne Nordmann CC BY-SA 3.0 Arecibo Message
- 18:00-21:00 (drop-in)
- National Space Centre
Join the Discovery team to decode the Arecibo message - an interstellar transmission that was broadcast from the Arecibo Telescope in 1974. Explore the basic information about humanity and Earth that was sent to a distant star cluster to show how we could begin contact with intelligent alien life and have a go at creating your own message to outer space!
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![ESA Kiurina Polar Ground Station]()
ESA Earth to Space - Do you read me?
- 18:00-21:00 (drop-in)
- Prospero Space Fellowship
Polar ground stations provide all-orbit support, meaning they can communicate with satellites with every pass – 14 times per day. Practice building, satellite-tracking and repairing your polar ground station with some hands-on, interactive challenges to see if you can keep communications running!
AstroSnores Sleepover
Why not extend your visit and join us for our family sleepover?
Our AstroSnores Sleepover begins with access to Space Lates and as night falls, you'll have a special screening of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in the UK’s largest planetarium, before unrolling your sleeping bag beneath giant rockets and spacecraft—with no chance of rain.
There will be breakfast in the morning, followed by an exclusive planetarium show and you'll also receive a sleepover patch to mark your unforgettable night!
This event has family and adult sleeping areas and is suitable for ages 6+.
Space Lates FAQs
