About Morning Explorers
Morning Explorers is an accessibility program for autistic people and those with similar disabilities. Running on the second Saturday of each month, it offers some accessible adaptions to the museum experience, plus an optional Autism Friendly planetarium show.
On these mornings we offer early entrance into the museum at 9am, before the museum opens to the public at 10am. This allows you to explore the museum at a quieter time. To reduce the noise level, we will mute the majority of sound making exhibits until 11am. Ear defenders and sensory maps will be available on entrance, and access to quiet spaces may be arranged on request.
This event is suitable for autistic adults, autistic children, and any friends, family, and personal assistants who would like to join.
Pre-booking is essential for admission.
Free entry for Members but you will need to pre-book at ticket.
We also offer a range of accessible resources, including social stories, sensory maps and picture and symbol cards. See our Accessibility Information for more details.
Planetarium Shows
Each Morning Explorers day will coincide with an optional Autism Friendly planetarium show at 10am. This will rotate monthly between a live presenter led show and a pre-recorded experience.
The schedule is laid out below.
- 11th May - Pre-recorded Planetarium - Dark Side of Light
- 8th June - Presenter led Planetarium - Live "Tonight's Sky" Planetarium Show
- 13th July - Pre-recorded Planetarium - We are Aliens
- 10th August - Pre-recorded Planetarium - Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System
- 14th September- Presenter led Planetarium - Live "Tonight's Sky" Planetarium Show
- 12th October - Pre-recorded Planetarium - Dark Side of Light
- 9th November - Pre-recorded Planetarium - Polaris, the Space Submarine and the Mystery of the Polar Night
- 14th December- Presenter led Planetarium - Live "Tonight's Sky" Planetarium Show
Capacity in our planetarium is set to 75% to allow audience members more space and visitors may choose to leave at any time. Light levels will be low during the show so visitors will be asked to use one of our torches to safely navigate the room if they choose to do so.
Planetarium shows cost £3.50 per person in addition to the admission price (£3 for Members).
Pre-book the planetarium show when you book your admission ticket.
Presenter led planetarium show of "Tonight's Sky"
Our popular Tonight’s Sky planetarium show has been adapted to be Autism Friendly, giving visitors a chance to explore what stars we might see in the night sky, to look up close at some pictures of our Moon, and even learn about some of the most distant planets in our Solar System, all with a specific focus on accessibility.
The show will last 25 mins.
Available on 8th June, 14th September and 14th December
Pre-recorded Planetarium Shows
Our pre-recorded planetarium shows offer a 360 degree visual entertainment experience. All Autism Friendly showings will be in the form of a 25-35 minute.
Polaris, the Space Submarine and the Mystery of the Polar Night tells the story of Vladamir the polar bear, and James the penguin as they go on a journey of discovery into space, to learn why their two homes both have such long winters.
Available on 9th November.
We Are Aliens, narrated by Rupert Grint, details the hunt for alien life, how we might look for life in space and what amazing technology scientists use to do so. Are there real aliens out there? Or are we alone in our universe?
Available on 13th July.
Dark Side of Light, For sever centuries, we have become accustomed to lighting up artificial light sources after dark. Living organism, both, plants and animals, have adapted to the natural cycle of day and night for tens of millions of years; our biorythms work in accordance with sunrise and sunset.
Available on 11th May, 12th October.
Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System is a planetarium show, but unlike traditional shows the soundtrack takes the lead role. All of the objects in space are represented with rich sounds as well as with incredible visuals. The audience can listen to the stars appear and hear the planets orbit around their heads. Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System is an immersive experience that can be enjoyed irrespective of level of vision.
Available on 10th August.