A night with the stars in Walsall
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Walsall's star turn is on the horizon with a host of astronomy activities in an exciting free event at The New Art Gallery Walsall in conjunction with BBC Stargazing LIVE.
Walsall Council's countryside services team is also involved in the event which will take place on Tuesday 17 January from 6pm-8pm.
Visitors of all ages will be able to mingle with amateur astronomers, experience an inflatable planetarium and enjoy an extravaganza of star-themed activities.
And they can learn about meteors, stars and planets while constructing their very own rocket.
Stephen Snoddy, director of The New Art Gallery Walsall said: "The New Art Gallery Walsall is delighted to be hosting the BBC Stargazing LIVE regional event.
"This free family event will give visitors an ideal opportunity to explore and learn more about the wonders of the night sky and participate in all the exciting activities during the evening."
People will be able to start their journey through the skies with a trip inside an inflatable planetarium, which will be in the foyer of the gallery for one night only.
They can continue their journey around the gallery, and take part in hands-on activities that will help explain the wonders of the universe.
Thanks to the support of local astronomy groups which are bringing telescopes and binoculars for people to use, there will be the opportunity to do some actual stargazing from the gallery’s roof terrace – weather permitting.
Visitors who have telescopes or binoculars of their own are invited to bring them along.
But whatever the weather, stargazing will still go ahead as astronomers can show visitors the best programmes for computers and smartphones.
A programme of talks is being held throughout the course of the evening highlighting the significance of Walsall in astronomy history, the origins of meteorites, the story of Sir Robert Ball, and whether the West Midlands has more canals than Mars!
The event is free. The planetarium in the foyer will be open from 5pm. The remainder of the event will open at 6pm. Doors close at 9pm. Visitors to the event will receive free BBC Stargazing activity cards and moon guides, subject to availability.
Morgan Bowers, Walsall Council senior countryside ranger, added: “We’re very excited to be involved with the BBC Stargazing LIVE event.
"We will also be talking to people about what other secrets the night holds, with a special exhibition about nocturnal wildlife.
"This will include some very special guest stars - real hedgehogs and bats!”
Stargazing LIVE is returning to UK television screens for a second three-night series on BBC Two.
In 2011, the series peaked at 4 million viewers (double the slot average), making it one of the most popular BBC Two factual series of the year.
Last year, up to 40,000 people took part in Stargazing astronomy activities in the UK. Locally, there were seven events at Barr Beacon Local Nature Reserve, Walsall’s own natural observatory.
Residents can keep track of astronomy activities by following @walsallwildlife on twitter, or by following and using the hashtag #walsalllooksup
For further information, call The New Art Gallery Walsall on 01922 654400; BBC Learning Project Manager for the West Midlands (Fiona Dye) on 0121 567 7087; or log on to bbc.co.uk/stargazing
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