HAVE you ever wanted to go on a deep space exploration?
This March, the team behind Wigtown Book Festival are giving budding astrophysicists the chance to hop aboard the shuttle, launch into outer-space and investigate the far corners of the universe — without even having to leave the house.
Wigtown Festivals’ Big Bang celebration of astronomy, science and the dark skies of Galloway is back for 2021 after cancelling last year, with four days of cosmic conferences being delivered online by top experts and researchers from the field.
Several events will look up to unique dark skies here in the region, where Galloway Forest Park is recognised as one of the world’s finest stargazing spots by the International Dark-Sky Association.
Participants include clinical researcher at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, Dr Christina Mackaill, who was previously part of an international team which developed an advanced life support guideline for microgravity. In 2016, she founded Scotland’s first space medicine society and is now working on a simulated astronaut mission in the Negev Desert, Israel.
Also in the line-up is the best-selling science writer, Brian Clegg, who will delve into his new book, ‘What Do You Think You Are?: The Science of What Makes You You’, which traces humankind all the way back to sub-atomic origins.
Furthermore, Nathan Casene, a leading UK expert on northern lights — and member of the AuroraWatch UK team – will talk guests through how the skyward spectacles are caused, where they can be found, and how the everyday astrologer can grasp a deeper understanding of aurorae.
Travelling to the deepest, strangest places in the universe will be Joe Munts, a lecturer in astrophysics at the University of Edinburgh. A researcher at the Royal Observatory, Joe specialises in the “dark” places of the universe, which he says to an astronomer means not just black – but invisible. In his talk, he will ponder on what really occupies these mysterious spaces and ask how scientists can know for certain until they’ve visited them and observed directly.
Adrian Turpin, director of Wigtown Festival Company, said: “Turning our attention to the universe, offers perspective and even comfort.
“There’s never been a better time to look up and enjoy the night sky.
“As well as offering diversion in the current crisis, we hope that Big Bang Week will introduce Galloway’s unspoilt dark skies to a new audience and encourage them to visit when that’s possible again.”
The Big Bang Festival will run from Wednesday March 3 to Saturday May 6 – find more information and purchase tickets at www.wigtownbookfestival.com.
