Fun was sky high for youngsters at Seething Observatory

Children enjoying the activities at the Seething Observatory. Emma Smith, four, from Poringland, busy making her rocket. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

The Norwich Astronomical Society had their biggest turn out yet in the five years the event has been running at Seething Observatory.

Although too cloudy to do any serious solar observing, children and their 'grown-ups' were able to hear about the JEDI detector and Lego Mini figures currently orbiting Jupiter on the Juno probe, as well as hear talks about the scale of the solar system and Saturn in the 21st Century.

While in the crafting marquee, over 500 rockets were made before their young owners queued to launch them skywards with a water pump.

This year Norwich Astronomical Society were joined by the Norwich branch of the British Science Association, who were demonstrating the size and scale of the solar system with carefully made models.

Children enjoying the activities at the Seething Observatory. Callum Richards, six, from Aylsham, just about manages to carry the large rocket he has made. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

BSA Chairperson Freya Varden said 'It's been such a good day of science, getting the chance to meet so many people and seeing everyone's excitement about astronomy!'

Also at Seething for the first time on Saturday was Rod Stevenson from the East Anglian Rocketry Society (EARS) which brought a selection of rockets to display and had been granted clearance from Seething airfield to launch one, subject to the weather being favourable.

Safety checks were made, and at 4.10pm exactly, there was the announcement that it was going to be go for launch.

Shortly after 4.30pm there was the roar of a solid fuelled rocket as it left the ground blasting skywards.

Children enjoying the activities at the Seething Observatory. Callum Richards, six, from Aylsham, just about manages to carry the large rocket he has made. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Almost lost in the clouds, only those with very keen eyesight saw the parachute unfurl as the rocket descended slowly back to the ground.

Mr Stevenson said 'It was a well organised day and we really enjoyed meeting so many people.

'I look forward to the next one and launching more rockets.'

Children enjoying the activities at the Seething Observatory. Rose Dunstan, four, from Dereham, at work naming the planets in the mini solar system set up by the British Science Association. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Children enjoying the activities at the Seething Observatory. Daisy-May Wonnacott, seven, concentrates as she makes her rocket. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)