The Racecourse Newbury hosted BBC Stargazing Live 9 January, where 1,500 budding astronomers put into practice everything Professor Brian Cox had taught them throughout the series with experts on hand for demonstrations and to answer any questions.
The racecourse was one of 12 locations in the UK chosen as the beacon of the South for its accessibility and flexibility. The event took place in the Grandstand which offers over 1000m² of pillar free floor space, ideal for the array of practical activities taking place.
Each of the three floors represented a different zone with Explore on the ground floor, Discover on the first floor and Reflect on the second floor. Activities included workshops teaching people how to use thermal imaging cameras, inflatable planetariums, talks from astronomy experts and an interactive web chat with a NASA astronaut. The outside areas will be used to put everything learnt into practice with a clear view of the night’s sky.
