Young girl using an Eclipse Viewer to watch the solar eclipse safely
National Space Centre

Space Lates - Partial Solar Eclipse

Experience a rare partial solar eclipse safely with experts, a planetarium show, live astronomy, family activities and exclusive evening access at a special Space Lates‑style event.
  • 12th Aug 2026
  • Safe Partial Eclipse Viewing
  • Live Astronomy Experts
  • Planetarium Shows Included
  • Exclusive Evening Access

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Science Communicator safely watching the solar eclipse using glasses designed for the event
National Space Centre

Witness one of the most spectacular astronomical events of our lifetime at the National Space Centre, with a special evening inspired by Space Lates and designed for families, adults and anyone eager to experience a solar eclipse safely.
With around 90% of the Sun covered, this partial solar eclipse will be the most dramatic visible from the UK until 2090. You can enjoy expert‑led eclipse viewing and live telescope observations with local astronomers (weather permitting), immersive planetarium shows and hands‑on activities, alongside evening access to the National Space Centre’s ground floor galleries, café and gift shop. Eclipse glasses are included with your booking, so you can watch this rare celestial event safely and with confidence.

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Young boy using a Solar Telescope to watch the solar eclipse safely
National Space Centre

What's Included

  • Eclipse glasses
  • Award winning planetarium show
  • Telescope viewing with experts (weather permitting)
  • Hands‑on activities
  • Livestreamed eclipse viewing
  • Evening access to galleries, café, shop

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Safe way of watching the lunar eclipse
National Space Centre

Tickets and Times

Entry to this event is just £10 per person.

18:00 - building opens

Partial eclipse timings

  • 18:15 - partial eclipse starts
  • 19:11 - partial eclipse at maximum
  • 20:00 - partial eclipse ends

Ticketed planetarium shows

  • 18:15 - We Are Stars (ends 18:45)
  • 19:45 - We Are Stars (ends 20:15)
  • 20:30 - We Are Stars (ends 21:00)

21:00 - event ends

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Hands-on activities

Join our Discovery team for some interactive science demonstrations and make-and-do's. 

  1. pinhole projection
    NASA/JPL

    Partial Eclipse of the Heart

    • Drop-in (18:00-21:00)

    Discover how to safely view a solar eclipse with the aid of a pin-hole projector and build your own to use and take home!

  2. A coronal mass ejection on the sun photographed by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory
    NASA Goddard

    Sunspots and Solar Activity

    • Drop-in (18:00-21:00)

    Explore sunspots and find out how the Sun's active and dynamic nature can cause auroral light displays.

  3. sundial
    Liz West CC BY 4.0 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/440681335)

    Sundial Timekeepers

    • Drop-in (18:00-21:00)

    With examples from around the world, find out how sundials help tell the time and have a go at creating your own timekeeper to take away.

Telescope Viewing

with Leicester Astronomical Society

 

Meet the Leicester Astronomical Society to find out more about telescopes and astronomical observing.

Weather permitting, they'll be in the Car Park with their equipment focused on the Sun so you can see views of the partial solar eclipse through their equipment too.

With solar projections, filtered telescope observations, and camera-assisted views, they'll showcase a variety of ways to safely view a solar eclipse.

(In the case of poor weather, they'll be setup indoors in the Boosters Cafe seating area).

Telescopes and Daytime Observing
National Space Centre

FAQs

No, this is an additional evening event that is exempt from the FREE Annual Pass upgrade offer.

This event is suitable for adults and families with an interest in space.

There are 400 free car parking spaces available on site. We are happy to call taxis for people and there is a bus stop to the 54 route within a 6 minute walk of the Centre.

Food and drink will not be allowed to be brought onto the premises

The National Space Centre – info@spacecentre.co.uk

No, tickets are non transferrable or refundable.

No, once a ticket is purchased no changes can be made.

Either a printed ticket, or a ticket on your phone or tablet (we like the non-printing option, it is better for the planet).

All tickets are non-refundable.