The Human Exploration of Space
Babbage Building, Plymouth University, 8 January, 7.30pm
Shropshire Astronomical Society is hosting a weekend-long event at Attingham Park featuring guided observing and astronomy-related craft activities.
From 3pm to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, the society is hosting sessions for children and young people on making and testing stomp rockets. At 3pm and 4pm, Friday to Sunday, some of the society’s astronomers will lead sessions on building and using planispheres to navigate the night sky. Then from 6pm to 9pm, Shropshire Astronomical Society will host stargazing and observing sessions for both seasoned observers and newcomers to the world of astronomy.
The afternoon craft activities are free drop-in sessions for all visitors to the park, while the planisphere demonstrations are £2.50, with advance booking recommended. Evening observing sessions are £3 for adults and free for society members, National Trust members and under-16s. For more information, visit the website. www.shropshire-astro.com From early pioneers like Russian rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky to current astronauts like Tim Peake, the story of humans in space is one that captures the spirit of endeavour. Dr Mike McCulloch (pictured), lecturer in Geomatics at Plymouth University, leads this talk on behalf of Plymouth Astronomical Society. Admission is free for members and £2 for visitors. www.plymouthastro.btck.co.uk