3, 2, 1, Blast Off! Sheffield Cathedral Launches into Space through The Observatory

11th March 2020

The final countdown is now on to the opening night of The Observatory on Friday 13 March.

Preparations are in full swing as the Cathedral gets ready to welcome another bumper audience to see its latest ‘son et lumière’ – a nighttime sound and light show usually presented in a building of historic significance. Sheffield Cathedral dates back to the 1400’s and is the oldest building in Sheffield in continuous daily use.

The previous event, The Angels are Coming in December, received rave reviews as more than 11,500 people visited Sheffield Cathedral over 5 nights.

“Incredible visit to see #theangelssheffield at Sheffield Cathedral. Truly one of the best things I’ve seen.” “Absolutely magical! Great to see young and old alike enjoying the stunning Sheffield Cathedral.”

The Observatory takes you to the edge of the universe and back. Incredible illuminations will be projected onto the beautiful architecture of the Cathedral to reveal an array of stars and planets. The show includes original footage of the first moon landing in 1969, you can experience ‘walking on Mars’ and contemplate the creation story and the Big Bang theory.

The Reverend Canon Keith Farrow, Vice Dean and Canon Missioner of Sheffield Cathedral says: “Ancient churches would at one time have been brightly painted and coloured on the interior and the images would have told people the stories of faith and depictions of events in the bible. Through imaginative and innovative use of sound and light we’re using modern technology to do the same!

We hope through the experience of travelling through time and space, standing amongst the stars and journeying to the edge of the universe in this amazing place, will give people the chance to contemplate their own personal journey in life. Our strap line is, ‘Sheffield Cathedral, A Place for all People’. We hope The Observatory will introduce many people to this amazing place.”

Sheffield Cathedral has also teamed up with Sheffield Astronomical Society over the 8 nights of The Observatory. Volunteers from Sheffield Astronomical Society will be giving FREE talks every evening and there will be an interactive engagement area where you will have the chance to gaze into the night sky through powerful telescopes and children will be able to draw pictures of space, rockets and aliens!

The Observatory runs from 13 – 20 March. Tickets are on sale from the Cathedral website or in person from the Cathedral Gift Shop:

• £6 for adults
• £4 for children (aged 4 to 12)
• Children aged 3 and under FREE.
• Family ticket £17.50 (2 adults and 2 children)

First entry to the Cathedral will be at 6:40pm and then every 20 minutes thereafter. Last entry at 9pm.

Allow approximately 1 hour for the whole experience. For a carer ticket, contact Sheffield Cathedral.

For more information and to book tickets, go to the Sheffield Cathedral website at www.sheffieldcathedral.org or visit the Cathedral Gift Shop.

Facebook: @SheffCathedral / @Luxmuralis Twitter: @sheffcath /@luxmuralis #TheObservatorySheffield