PUPILS from Crossways Infant School in Thornbury took a trip out of this world as they got the next best thing to visiting space.

On Monday, January 11, children from the Year Two classes Foxes and Squirrels got the chance to become astronauts in a planetarium as a colossal Explorer Dome was inflated in the school hall for them to explore.

Once inside, the “Space Guides” introduced them to all the wonders of the galaxy as the dome was transformed into the night sky, with thousands of stars to gaze at.

The children learnt about the history of the constellations and why the sun rises and sets in different places.

Year Two teacher Kate Smale said: “This experience brought the children’s space topic to life. Now they are looking forward to a clear night so they can do some real life star gazing.”

Ben Brown, director of Explorer Dome said: “I am always impressed with how much the very young children know about space and I always enjoy their unbridled enthusiasm for the subject.

“It’s a privilege to inspire young minds and a real pleasure to visit Crossways School, we had a great time.”