Stargazing Live returns to BBC2

Next week sees the return of BBC2's Stargazing LIVE for its third series.  As in previous years the television shows featuring Professor Brian Cox and Dara O'Briain broadcasting from Jodrell Bank will be complemented by events across the country encouraging the public to get involved in astronomy and science.  The National Space Academy will be involved in events at Long Eaton, Newbury and Harwell as part of Stargazing LIVE with members of the Academy team bringing their expertise and enthusiasm to new audiences. 

On Tuesday the 8th of January Project Director Anu Ojha will give a talk at the Malcolm Parry Observatory at Long Eaton School about the red planet entitled "Mars as the abode for life".  The talk, starting at 6pm, will be followed by the Long Eaton Star Party when visitors are welcome to bring their telescopes and binoculars for a chance to observe the night sky and chat to other astronomers.  There will also be a chance to find out more about the observatory if the weather is clear enough for it to be open.  More information about this event and other Stargazing LIVE events at the Malcolm Parry Observatory is available here.

Education Officer Sophie Allan and National Manager Sarah Hill will both be visiting the Long Eaton School along with Anu, however Regional Project Manager Kierann Shah will be at Newbury Racecourse on Wednesday 9th of January and at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) making and launching rockets.  The Newbury Racecourse event, including a live web chat with astronaut Piers Sellers as well as various activities, has already allocated all of its tickets.  The event at RAL will include planetarium shows, stargazing, how to use a telescope and the chance to handle genuine moon rocks and meteorites, and more information is available here.

If you are interested in going to an event near you the BBC Stargazing LIVE website has information to help you find out what's on, and the television programme will be on from Tuesday 8th on BBC2.