We pick the best live and virtual astronomy events and resources this month
PICK OF THE MONTH
LIVE: First Light Pavilion
Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire, from 4 June
Jodrell Bank’s £21.1m First Light Pavilion opens this month, a brand-new interactive exhibition space telling the human stories behind the birthplace of British radio astronomy. The striking grass-covered building also features a state-of-the-art immersive Space Dome planetarium, guided tours of the groundbreaking UNESCO World Heritage Site and a large new café alongside the existing displays, famous clockwork orrery and, of course, the 76m-wide Lovell Telescope. Watch out for details of a summer of public events planned for the new pavilion. Adults £12, children £8.
Live Space flight photography
Rook Lane Chapel, Frome, Somerset, 25 June, 7:30pm Photographer John Angerson, who had unprecedented access to NASA’s 1996 Space Shuttle STS-72 mission, talks about his work photographing the intense training and documenting the close friendships of the six astronauts. Tickets are £10. photofrome.org/talks
Live & Online Life in the Universe
Museum of London, 1 June, 6pm Gresham Professor of Astronomy Katherine Blundell’s lecture explores what ingredients are needed to sustain life on planets beyond Earth. Book to see live or watch online: sciencelive.net/event/1314
Live STEMTots
Cambridge Science Centre, 10 June, 9:15am A special session for accompanied preschoolers to learn about the Solar System, including making a mobile, designing a planet and building a rocket. Costs £3.28 per adult with a child. bit.ly/3vxG9wN
Online High Energy Astrophysics
Starts 15 June How does a black hole form? What’s going on in active galaxies? How do we explain gamma ray bursts? This five-month Astrophysics Research Institute course covers the most powerful phenomena in the cosmos. The course costs £225. Sign up by 31 May. astronomy.ac.uk/info/energy
Live Mars exploration talk
Bredhurst Village Hall, Gillingham, 24 June, 8pm Professor David Southwood, former director of science and robotic exploration at the European Space Agency, reveals the ‘trials, tribulations and triumphs’ of exploring Mars. Followed by an observing session. www.midkentastro.org.uk
Live Ayrshire monthly meet-ups
The Kyle Academy, Ayr, 27 June, 7pm Every fourth Monday of each month the folks at Ayrshire Astronomical Society meet up, usually for a presentation by members or guest speakers. All local dark-sky fans are welcome. First meeting is free. www.ayrastro.com
Live Jewels of the Universe
Kielder Observatory, Northumberland, 29 June, 9pm Kielder’s science team share their passion for astronomy in this special evening. Be guided around the planets, galaxies and Moon, spot noctilucent clouds and get to hold space rocks. Tickets are £25. kielderobservatory.org/our-events