Reaching for the stars at Lacock (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
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Reaching for the stars at Lacock
10:51am Thursday 13th January 2011 in News
Experts point visitors in the right direction for fine views of the planets
Stargazers braved sub-zero temperatures in Lacock on Saturday night to attend a special astronomy event.
More than 150 visitors were treated to images beamed in from moons, planets and stars using telescopes. They also enjoyed astronomy talks, including a visit by the BBC’s Meet The Ancestors archaeologist Julian Richards, who talked about the link between the stars and human culture.
The event was organised by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
Organiser Tony Buckley, of the STFC, said: “It went extremely well this weekend. People were coming day and night to see what was in store for them and we had lots of people flooding into the planetarium shows. It got very cold as the evening approached but people stayed around which was great.
“There was one boy who stole the show though. He was called Angus and was only about five or six years old but he stood up confidently in the talk and asked questions that were very advanced for his age. He amazed everyone. ”
The event, which coincided with the month-long BBC Stargazing Live series, was so successful that organisers are hoping it can come back again next year.
Mr Buckley added: “One of the things that we wanted to do at the event was to explore the way in which astronomy has links with our heritage because humans through the years have used the stars to guide their lives.”
The evening was supported by the Wiltshire Astronomical Society, which meets monthly at the Pavilion Hall, in Seend. Its next meeting is on February 1 at 8pm.
