We pick the best live and virtual astronomy events and resources this month

PICK OF THE MONTH

Live Practical Astronomy Show 2022

Kettering Conference Centre, Northamptonshire, 19 March

Whether it’s choosing your first binoculars, upgrading your camera or even investing in your very own observatory dome, you will find all the movers and shakers in UK astronomy gear at the Practical Astronomy Show. Manufacturers, retailers and astronomy organisations will all be gathered under one roof at Kettering Conference Centre for a free day of displays and demonstrations, alongside expert talks from the likes of astrophographer Damian Peach and BBC Sky at Night Magazine’s reviews editor Paul Money. 

Visit practicalastroshow.com to find out more.

Online Exploring Space and Astronomy through Philately

17 March, 7:30pm

Join the Astronomy Society of Glasgow via Zoom for this talk from Katrin Raynor- Evans (pictured, above) on how stamps from around the world have marked milestones in spaceflight and astronomy.

See www.theasg.org.uk for login details.

Live Observing at Rosse Observatory

Carleton Road, Pontefract, 1 March, 7:30pm

All are welcome to drop in to West Yorkshire Astronomical Society’s Rosse Observatory on the first Tuesday of each month. Entry is £6 per adult, with under-18s free. There’s also a Young Astronomers’ evening on the last Friday of each month, 6:30pm. £5 per child; booking essential at: young. astronomers.wyas@gmail.com.

Live Public stargazing

Low Dalby Astronomy Centre, Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire, 4 March, 8pm

Join Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society to see the stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies under one of the darkest skies in the country. Book at bit.ly/3qw2Ccu

Online The Planets of the Solar System

Starts 15 March

This five-month course from the Astrophysics Research Institute will teach you everything about the interiors, surfaces and atmospheres of the planets and moons in our Solar System. The course costs £225. To book a place, visit www.astronomy.ac.uk/info/planets

Live & Online Meteorites

Bredhurst Village Hall, Gillingham, 25 March, 8pm

Meteorite specialist David Bryant explains how new meteorite discoveries have shaped our understanding of the origins of our Solar System; with a range of samples to handle. Non-members £3; contact membersec@midkentastro.org.uk (36 hours ahead) to join the talk.

Live & Online Aliens in Science Fiction

Gresham College, Holborn, London, 28 March, 6pm

From HG Wells to Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis series, the history of science professor Jim Endersby explores the portrayal of extraterrestrial lifeforms in science fiction. Book to see live or watch online: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/scifi-aliens