Space Sessions
- 25th Apr 2026
- Included in your day visit
- Discover something new
- Monthly guests
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Space Sessions are our programme of expert‑led talks that bring space science to life for families and curious learners.
Across weekends and school holidays, we welcome guest speakers from across the space and science community to share their knowledge, research and real‑world experience. Each session explores a space‑themed topic linked to our monthly theme, helping visitors dive deeper into the science behind the stories they see in the galleries.
Designed to be accessible, engaging and thought‑provoking, Space Sessions give children and adults the chance to hear directly from people working in space science today – asking questions, discovering new ideas, and leaving inspired to learn more.
25 April - 12:30 and 13:30
Angela Speck, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Texas at San Antonia
In August 2026 the Moon will cover more than 90 percent of the Sun over Leicester, turning an ordinary afternoon into something extraordinary. In this lively, family friendly talk, astrophysicist Angela Speck explains what makes this eclipse special, what you will actually see from the UK, and how to observe it safely. With simple demonstrations, including how pinhole projection works, and practical advice about solar viewing glasses, you will leave ready to experience the eclipse with confidence and curiosity.
Angela Speck, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Texas at San Antonia
Named after the iconic Angela Davis, she likes bright colours, is a nerd at heart, and has wanted to be an astronaut since she was five years old. Originally from Bradford, she went to university in London, where she pursued a degree in astrophysics and began turning her childhood dreams into a career. After a brief stint as an R&D technician in a Lancashire company run by eccentric new age hippies, she returned to London and completed a PhD in astronomy. After a postdoc at the University of Illinois and 17 years on the faculty at the University of Missouri, she is now a professor of physics and astronomy at UT San Antonio. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has co-chaired a national task force on solar eclipses since 2014. Throughout her career she has pursued research and teaching in astrophysics and continues to share her passion for all things extraterrestrial, on both sides of the Atlantic.
