Cubs Reach for the Stars at Marlborough Observatory

On a crisp, frosty evening with temperatures dipping to -2°C, the Cubs bundled up for an unforgettable stargazing adventure at the Marlborough Observatory. The perfectly clear skies were ideal for exploring the wonders of the night, and even before the evening officially began, excitement was in the air as satellites streaked overhead, visible right from the car park.

We were warmly welcomed by Gavin, our incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic host for the night. With a deep passion for astronomy, Gavin guided us through the experience with fascinating facts and stories that had everyone hooked. He explained why only red lights were allowed, helping our eyes adjust to the dark and making the star-studded sky even more spectacular.

The evening began inside the observatory’s iconic dome, where the Cubs discovered a true gem of astronomical history: a magnificent telescope built in 1860, relocated to Marlborough in 1935. Despite its age, this telescope is far from old-fashioned—it’s the oldest computerised telescope in the world, equipped with a positioning system that precisely tracks celestial objects.

When Gavin opened the dome’s shutter, it felt like unlocking a portal to the universe. The first stop on our galactic journey was Saturn. Each Cub took their turn at the viewfinder to see the planet’s iconic rings—an image made even more awe-inspiring knowing it had taken the light over an hour to reach us.

Next, we ventured outside under the brilliant night sky. With Gavin’s laser pointer leading the way, we spotted constellations like Pegasus, the North Star, and the famous "saucepan" (part of Orion). The Cubs were thrilled to try binoculars for a closer look at the Andromeda Galaxy’s core, which appeared as a faint blur against the sharp clarity of the stars.

Back inside, the Cubs got hands-on as they helped rotate the dome, positioning the telescope for our next celestial target: Jupiter. The view of the gas giant was breathtaking. We could see its striped surface and even its surrounding moons, drawing gasps of amazement from everyone.

The night concluded with a Q&A session, where the Cubs impressed Gavin with thoughtful questions—especially those who had been learning about Jupiter at school.

A huge thank you to Zoe for organising the visit, and to Gavin and the leaders for making it a truly magical experience. The Cubs left inspired by the wonders of the universe, with memories (and perhaps a budding passion for astronomy) that will last a lifetime.