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Wild Skies Weekend 15th - 16th March

11th March 2013

Photograph of Wild Skies Weekend 15th  - 16th March

"In mid March Caithness Astronomy Group have a weekend of free events planned for skywatchers in the far North of Scotland. The highlights include two public talks by Professor Andy Lawrence of Edinburgh University and the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, and the chance to view a comet in the twilight sky after sunset.

The first event is on the 15th March and will involve some comet spotting at Castlehill Heritage Centre (6.45pm start) after which Prof Lawrence will give a talk entitled "Hunting the Dragon". The talk is about Active Galactic Nuclei - the bizarre goings on caused by black holes gobbling matter at the centres of galaxies. It has some history, some hot new stuff, and just a teeny bit of physics.

The second event is during the afternoon of Saturday 16th March (1.30pm at Thurso High School) where Professor Lawrence's talk will be "Our Place in the Universe" in which he will look at the scale of the Universe, its incredible violence, its complexity, and examine how we feel as human beings in the face of it all. This talk will be particularly suitable for beginners. Also at the event will be the chance to do solar observing and hands on activities for all ages.

Then on the Saturday evening (16th March) comet spotters and photographers alike are welcome to join us at Seadrift Dunnet Beach Car Park (6.30pm) for a joint observing/photography session with Wick Camera Club - remember to bring your camera and tripod! If the weather is bad there will be a free talk on comets instead.

Children are welcome if accompanied by a parent/guardian. Warm clothing and a torch advisable for the evening events. See the Caithness Astronomy Group website for full details www.spanglefish.com/caithnessastronomygroup/news.asp."