We pick the best live and virtual astronomy events and resources this month
PICK OF THE MONTH
Online Institute of Astronomy open evenings
From cosmic rays to gravity, catch a new talk on the latest astronomy research each week
Every Wednesday throughout the winter season (until 23 March 2022), the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge opens its virtual doors to the public for an evening lecture and stargazing session (weather-permitting).
It’s online only for now, but hybrid live and virtual events are planned. Fast radio bursts will be the lecture topic on 19 January at 7:15pm. Watch live and join in the Q&A or catch up with all the recent Institute of Astronomy videos on Youtube, including talks on cosmic rays, exoplanets, star dust, planet and galaxy building, and much more at https://bit.ly/InstituteofAstronomy
Live: New Dark Sky Discovery trail
Larkbarrow, Exmoor National Park
A night-walking trail has been unveiled at the heart of Exmoor National Park. The flat there-and-back-again route across fields is 3.2km-long, starting from Larkbarrow near Exford, and it offers 360˚ panoramas of some truly dark skies. exmoorwalks.org/darksky
Live: Astronomy and Islam
Royal Observatory Greenwich, 2 January, 10:30am
Hear about the characters depicted in the stars in Arabic astronomy lore and the importance of Moon phases in Islam in this one-hour show. Ages 7 and up. Adults are £10, children £5, including entry to the Observatory. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on
Online: Astrophysics talk
14 January, 7:45pm
In his talk ‘The Standard Model and Possible New Physics’, author Harry Cliff looks at the quest for a single ‘theory of everything’ to explain how the Universe works. Non-members £3 donation. To join the Zoom, contact membersec@midkentastro.org.uk.
Online: The Sky: Why it Matters and How We Might Lose It
20 January, 7:30pm
Professor Andy Lawrence looks at how the drive for fast internet speeds is putting the night sky under threat as tens of thousands of satellites are slated for launch. See the Astronomy Society of Glasgow’s YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/ASofGlasgow
Online: Medieval astronomy
22 January, 8pm
Dr Philipp Nothaft looks at 12th-century astronomer Walcher of Malvern, an early European adopter of the astrolabe and one of the first English astronomers to embrace Arabic science. For Zoom details, contact: meetings@shastro.org.uk
Live: Public observing evening
Beachy Head Story Centre, Eastbourne, 22 January, 5pm
Take a look through Eastbourne Astronomical Society’s telescopes, hear all about night-sky targets from the club’s expert members and enjoy an introduction to astronomy presentation. Free. www.eastbourneas.org.uk/practical-observing
Live: Observatory night
Breckland Observatory, Great Ellingham, 28 January, 7:30pm
Join astronomers from Norfolk’s Breckland Astronomical Society for a public evening viewing planets, stars, galaxies and more. Free. Contact: visitors@brecklandastro.org.uk