Space in the light this week
USQ will hold an Astronomy Festival
THE University of Southern Queensland will look up to the stars tomorrow for its Festival of Astronomy.
A USQ spokeswoman said while the event began in Springfield today, the festival would arrive in Toowoomba tomorrow.
“Over three days, USQ will host presentations and activities bringing the stars to its campuses in Springfield and Toowoomba,” the spokeswoman said.
“The main event will feature world-leading astronomers Dr Jessie Christiansen from NASA’s Exoplanet Science Institute and Dr Duane Hamacher from the Indigenous Studies Centre at Monash University on Friday night at USQ Toowoomba followed by stargazing.
“Dr Christiansen will lead a journey beyond the Solar system in pursuit of exoplanets, while Dr Hamacher will talk about his research into Indigenous Australian astronomical and geological traditions.”
The spokeswoman said PhD candidate Jake Clark would introduce children to the wonders of space and our universe through the Build-A-Planet youth workshops.
“The Festival will conclude (on Saturday) with presentations by Dr Christiansen and Associate Professor Annette Lee from St. Cloud State University, Minnesota at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium,” she said.
“Associate Professor Lee will present indigenous teachings involving constellations from the American tribes Ojibwe, D/Lakota, and Ininew.”
To learn more about the Festival visit www.usq.edu.au/ festival-of-astronomy.