All workshops, talks & quizzes are included in your admission, but please note that this programme is provisional so events and times may change. Please check back before attending
En route to Cwmdu, you can listen to the Awesome Astronomy podcast! Just look for ‘Awesome Astronomy’ on iTunes or go to awesomeastronomy.com
Saturday 18th April
| 13:00 | Arrive at campsite, pitch up & set up |
| 16:00 | Interactive Drake Equation – Dr. Jenifer Millard |
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Time: 1 hour 15 mins How many times have you been down the pub and someone has asked you - “Yeah, but really, how many alien civilisations ARE out there?” Fortunately, there’s an equation for that. In this interactive talk, expert multi-platform science communicator and astronomer Dr. Jenifer Millard will take you through the Drake Equation, a thought experiment designed to answer that very question. Come along, meet your fellow Astrocampers, and together, you’ll decide whether we really are alone in this bountiful Galaxy of ours. |
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| 21:00 | Live Sky Tour - Paul Hill |
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Time: 30 minutes Paul Hill is an expert science communicator and highly skilled practical astronomer – one of the few that shuns these new-fangled tracking telescopes, preferring to dance across the cosmos by his own guiding hand. Using his almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the night sky, Paul will take you on a tour of the best objects available to view this Astrocamp. Feel free to gaze in wonder with the naked-eye, or join in with your binoculars or telescope. |
Sunday 19th April
| 14:00 | Main Talk - The Ghost in the Telescope - Prof. Stephen Eales |
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Dr Lorenzo Mugnai is an exoplanet expert from Cardiff University helping to build the Ariel space observatory, due for launch by the end of the decade. Ariel is designed for exoplanet characterisation, helping us understand some of the 6000 known worlds around other stars. In this talk, Lorenzo will take us through the journey of building a space telescope, every tiny factor that you must consider to make sure it can do the task at hand. |
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| 15:30 | Awesome Astronomy Crew - Quiz |
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Time: 1 hour The legendary Astrocamp Quiz! |
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| 16:30 | Awesome Astronomy Crew – Astronomy Panel Bonanza |
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Time: 1 hour Do you have a burning question about astronomy or space exploration that you’ve always want answered, but never known who to ask? In this one-hour Live Podcast Special, we’ll be answering all your spacey questions, even throwing in a debate or two! |
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| 21:00 | Live Sky Tour - Paul Hill |
Monday 20th April
| 13:30 | The Science of Spectroscopy - Dr. Jenifer Mllard & Paul Hill |
| Spectroscopy is one of the most powerful analytical tools astronomy has in its box. Beginning with a short 15 minute talk outlining spectroscopy and its uses in an astronomical sense, we’ll then craft our own sunlight spectrometers for you to take home. | |
| 14:45 | Afternoon Tea on the Common. |
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Time: 1 hr Bring your left over goodies, snacks, and home baked goods to afternoon tea on the Common, as we wax lyrical about the joys of Astrocamp! |
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| 15:45 | Awesome Astronomy – Live Podcast |
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Time: 1 hour Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes during a recording of Awesome Astronomy? Well, wonder no more! Come and join Paul and Jen as they record the next podcast episode in front of a live audience - you! Bring your questions, comments, and thoughts about the latest space exploration and astronomy developments and who knows, maybe it’ll be your voice titillating the airwaves from Cydonia next time… |
Tuesday 21st April
| 12:00 | Leave campsite. |
The Common (in the middle of the campsite) is the area we’ve created for socialising and observing together.
There’s always lots gathered here to share eyepiece views and learn new astronomy tricks from others.
Join us in the AstroCamp family at the Common!