University teams up with the Preston and District Astronomical Society to explore the night sky
Keen stargazers are invited to the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Stargazing Live event at the newly refurbished Moor Park Observatory.
On Wednesday 29 March, UCLan will team up the Preston and District Astronomical Society (PADAS) to give visitors a tour of the night sky at Moor Park Observatory. The evening will tie in with the BBC Stargazing Live special event, which goes out on 28 - 30 March.
Alongside stargazing visitors can examine space rock and meteorites courtesy of PADAS and learn about Preston’s rich astronomy history, including the opening of Moor Park to tie in with the total solar eclipse in June 1927.
"Stargazing is increasingly popular and we want to harness that enthusiasm right here in Preston at the newly opened Moor Park Observatory. It is the ideal venue to not only explore the night sky, but to celebrate the city’s exciting astronomy history."
UCLan lecturer Dr Mark Norris from the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute for Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy is leading the event. He said: “Stargazing is increasingly popular and we want to harness that enthusiasm right here in Preston at the newly opened Moor Park Observatory. It is the ideal venue to not only explore the night sky, but to celebrate the city’s exciting astronomy history. We even have the Observatory’s old telescope for visitors to see and although it doesn’t work anymore, it’s a wonderful artefact to share.
“From knowledgeable amateurs to beginners, the event is open to all and the UCLan astrophysics team and PADAS will be available to answer questions throughout the evening.”
The event will take place from 7.00pm – 10.00pm at the Observatory on Wednesday 29 March. If the evening is affected by bad weather conditions then attendees will be invited to an indoor projection and talk inside the building. Attendance is free but people are asked to register online at Eventbrite.
Anyone interested can learn more by following the hashtag #UCLanstargazing on Twitter. For further information or to discuss any special access requirements please email alstonobservatory@uclan.ac.uk.
