Stargazers over the moon with turnout at Lacock (From Wiltshire Times)

Stargazers over the moon with turnout at Lacock

8:00am Saturday 15th January 2011 in News

Hundreds of stargazers flocked to a special astronomy event in Lacock on Saturday.

More than 150 visitors were treated to images beamed in from moons, planets and stars using telescopes, and 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 full day event was organised by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

Organiser Tony Buckley, from the STFC, said: “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 that stole the show. He was called Angus and was only about five or six but he stood up confidently in the talk and asked questions that were very advanced for his age.

“He amazed everyone. It was great to see that level of interest.”

The event, which coincided with the month-long BBC Stargazing Live series, was so successful organisers are hoping it can return next year.

Families were also able to enjoy hands-on activities including building and launching rockets.

The event was also supported by the Wiltshire Astronomical Society, who meet monthly at the Pavilion Hall, in Seend, near Melksham.

Their next meeting is on February 1 at 8pm when Dr David Whitehouse will speak about what to expect from the next 50 years in space exploration.