starry-eyed: evening on the importance of astronomy to be held

An evening of astronomy will be held at Loch Leven Community Centre tomorrow evening.

Aero Space Kinross will host the event, with talks given by researchers Dr Stephen Breslin and Steve Owens of the Glasgow Science Centre.

Jimmy Slaughter – a satellite applications solutions architect at Strathclyde University – will give a presentation on the “opportunities from space”, and the practical applications of satellites which orbit the earth.

Visitors will also hear from Aero Space Kinross chairman Alisdair Stewart, who will provide an update on plans to open an aviation and space-themed educational knowledge hub, visitor attraction and events venue.

Mr Stewart will also explain how the community will benefit from the science programme, and the conversion of Aero Space Scientific Educational Trust (Asset) to the Community Benefit Society (CBS), which will ensure the trust is community-led and controlled.

Explaining the reorganisation of the trust, Mr Stewart said: “Asset was established as a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity.

“Over recent months it has become evident that our corporate structure was impeding discussions with key funders who felt Asset was too narrowly governed, despite the fact that it has an open membership.

“Conversion to a CBS makes the open membership structure much more transparent and ensures that control, ownership and benefits are clearly vested in the Kinross-shire community.”

The event will start at 7.30pm and tickets are free but expected to be popular, so organisers are advising people to book online.

Tickets can be booked at aerospacekinross.com, where further event details can also be viewed.

Proposals for the Aero Space Kinross (ASK) complex – which could attract around 60,000 visitors to the area each year – were unveiled in September of last year.