Watch this space

To celebrate the Planetarium's 25th Anniversary and to mark the 400th year since the invention of the telescope Central Museum has secured a prestigious loan of historic telescopes from the National Maritime Museum.

Looking Through Time, shows early examples of the telescope dating from the 1400's to the 1700's. Claire Reed, Central Museum's Conservator explains the challenge of exhibiting such a collection, "Looking after such historic and delicate scientific instruments is a real privilege, we have had to commission a special case to protect and accommodate them. Some of the materials used to create and embellish these wonderful instruments are truly astonishing. One piece that really stands out is covered with Shagreen which is the dyed skin of a stingray and is simply stunning."

The telescopes can be viewed in the Central Museum until November and to compliment the display the Planetarium will be running a special programme of shows please call 01702 434449 for further details and timings.