2 minute read
Visitors flock to family outreach events in the UK
from Contact 14
BY DR HILARY KAY (THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER)
Recent months have provided exciting opportunities for SKA-themed outreach in the UK, with the UKRI Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) welcoming visitors to its sites for open days, and the Bluedot festival taking place again at Jodrell Bank.
In July, festival-goers braved the typically fickle British summer weather to take part in a bumper weekend of funfilled activities at Bluedot, a science, music and art festival which takes place next door to SKAO HQ. As ever, volunteers from the HQ and The University of Manchester inspired visitors, providing hands-on activities and the opportunity to take part in some live radio astronomy observing. Across the festival, visitors were also treated to engaging talks not only about the SKA telescopes and the revolutionary science they will enable, but also on the impact of large satellite constellations on facilities like the SKAO.
July also saw Daresbury Laboratory throw open its doors to more than 5,000 visitors, showcasing the cutting-edge research funded by the STFC and raising awareness of the SKAO and the UK’s role in it.
The UK Astronomy Technology Centre, based at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, also welcomed almost 2,500 visitors to the historic site as part of the Edinburgh Doors Open event in September. Alongside activities for the younger visitors, staff explained their role in developing essential software for the SKAO and highlighted the immense scale of the project, aiming to inspire some of the next generation of astronomers and data scientists.
