Astronomy inspires bluedot festival-goers

BY JOSEPH DIAMOND (SKAO)

After a two-year break due to the pandemic, it was fantastic to have the bluedot festival back on the SKAO’s doorstep at the end of July.

Bluedot is an award-winning festival of discovery set against the backdrop of the iconic Lovell Telescope. It combines a truly stellar line-up of music with a rich programme of live science experiments, expert talks and immersive artworks.

During the four-day festival, the SKAO had its own stand staffed by volunteers from the Observatory and partner organisations who used the weekend to talk to and inspire festival-goers of all ages.

Our very own Dr Shari Breen, head of science operations, gave an expert talk (“Unveiling our galaxy, the Milky Way”) to a full crowd in the aptly named Mission Control tent.

Thank you to Shari and all our volunteers for making the SKAO’s involvement at bluedot a success!

Aerial image of the Jodrell Bank site when Bluedot is taking place.

Credit: Jodrell Bank/Bluedot