2008 astronomy festival

Once again, we are privileged to welcome some exceptional speakers to our festival including a talk by Sir Patrick Moore entitled "My view of the Moon".  Sir Patrick's talk will be on Sunday 7th September at 1.00 pm.  Download details or view the Provisional Speaker Information on our website

Sir Patrick Moore's new book "Ancient Lights" will be launched at the festival - download details

If you haven't attended our previous Astronomy Festivals, you may find it interesting to browse through the photographs of our 2007 Astronomy Festival

Camping

Friday, Saturday and Sunday at £10 per night. This allows up to 4 people per site. There are a limited number of sites so BOOK EARLY!  Small camper vans and caravans are very welcome but the size of the pitch is restricted. Please contact the centre for further details. 

Proposed programme of events includes the following*

Friday 5th September 6.30pm – 11pm

Viewing (telescopes not open to the public during the day will be open for evening viewing sessions), tours of the telescopes, visits to the Space Geodesy Facility (8.00 pm and 10.00 pm).

Amateur radio demonstrations in the Radio Shack (G3YNN): Low-Earth-Orbit satellites, visit us to discover how radio amateurs communicate around the world using satellites designed and built by radio amateurs. Hear signals from a Russian military training satellite and listen and observe us making contacts with other amateurs around the world

Saturday 6th September 10am – 6pm

5 lectures throughout the day (extra cost of £2 per lecture) :
details of the Speakers and Lecture times

Telescope tours,
Tours around the Space Geodesy Facility (2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8 pm, 10 pm)

Amateur radio demonstrations in the Radio Shack (G3YNN): In the morning we will be active on frequencies capable of worldwide communications, just how many countries can we contact? In the afternoon come along and follow our progress in a test of radio communications skills in an international radio contest. In addition, throughout the day and evening when possible, there will be demonstrations of satellite communications.

Mini talks/workshops "Everything you need to know about telescopes!"  by the BBC Sky at Night magazine team.  These will take place in the Sky at Night tent.
11.45 - Pete Lawrence
13.10 - Paul Money
16.10 - Will Gater

Question and Answer sessions on the use of Meade Instruments with Chris Morrison who is the International Business Manager of Meade

Raffle drawn at 5pm (be in it to win it!)

Saturday 6th September 6.30pm - 11pm

Viewing, tours of the telescopes, visits to the Space Geodesy Facility, Terry’s spectacular prize winning quiz

Sunday 7th September 10am – 6pm

Family activity workshop with Jon London from "Out of this World Learning"  including making and launching air powered rockets together with rocket demonstrations.

Telescope tours

Amateur radio demonstrations in the Radio Shack (G3YNN): In the morning we will be active on frequencies capable of worldwide communications, just how many countries can we contact? In the afternoon come along and follow our progress in a test of radio communications skills in an international radio contest. In addition, throughout the day and evening when possible, there will be demonstrations of satellite communications.

11.00 - 12 noon Lecture entitled "How Sky at Night Magazine reached the North Pole" given by Paul Money (Sky at Night Reviews Editor and Expedition Astronomer)
This talk is a summary of Paul's trip on the Russian Nuclear Icebreaker, exploring the arctic wilderness, being at the North Pole then trying to get the solar eclipse on the way back.

Mini talks/workshops "Everything you need to know about telescopes!"  by the BBC Sky at Night magazine team.  These will take place in the Sky at Night tent.
11.45 - Pete Lawrence
14.00 - Paul Money
16.00 - Will Gater

Talk by Sir Patrick Moore at 1.00 pm entitled "My View of the Moon"

Raffle drawn at 4pm (be in it to win it!)

Question and Answer sessions on the use of Meade Instruments with Chris Morrison who is the International Business Manager of Meade.  There will be trade stalls and astronomy societies in attendance throughout the whole weekend.   A raffle will be drawn on both main event days with fabulous prizes donated by our sponsors - telescopes, binoculars, signed books and magazines were among the prizes won in 2007!In 2007 we were very fortunate to welcome Sir Patrick Moore back to the Observatory, which made the weekend very special.  This year, we are absolutely delighted to confirm that Sir Patrick Moore is able to come to our Festival again - if you want to hear his talk, put Sunday 7 September at 1.00 pm in your diary.  We were also joined by the Storm Troopers on the Sunday and we hope to welcome them back again this year.

The beer tent will make a welcome return and other refreshments and food will be available from the centre’s own cafeteria and an extra refreshment stand.