The RAS is opening its doors to the public tonight from 6 - 9 pm as part of the Courtyard Late programme. Come along and explore the Cosmos: talks & demonstrations by astronomers; library tours. No booking required. However,due to the size of the building, visitor number restrictions apply - spaces will be allocated on a first come, and first served basis.
Join Astronomer Peter Grimley for a practical demonstration of how comets are formed in outer space.
Learn about Aleriel - an early example of Martian speculative fiction - from Marek Kukula,Public Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. He will be discussing the role our celestial neighbours – particularly Mars – enjoy played in inspiring contemporary fiction. Aleriel (the first work of fiction to spend the term 'Martian' to characterize residents of that planet) is particularly notable for incorporating the very latest in Victorian thinking into its narrative of space travel, Venusian visitors and alien worlds.
Visit the RAS Library for a display of rarely-seen drawings of Mars and other celestial objects.
Source: ras.org.uk