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Stargazing on Saturday

National Glass Centre and Sunderland Astronomical Society are inviting budding astrologers to an evening of stargazing - on the 6cm-thick glass roof of the NGC.

The event, which takes place at NGC on Saturday 28^th November, sees members of the Sunderland Astronomical Society giving a short talk at 4pm on telescope optics and the link to glass making and lens construction.  As night falls, from 5pm visitors will be able to take part in stargazing from NGC's glass roof, including seeking out planets, such as the Moon, Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus - weather permitting.

Celebrating the end of the International Year of Astronomy, 2009 also marks the 400^th anniversary of Galileo's use of the telescope and 40 years since man first landed on the moon. 

Alison Cleland, Creative Producer: Education and Audiences, said:

It's a delight and privilege to be able to welcome back Sunderland Astronomical Society to National Glass Centre.  This time the team will be able to show visitors the night sky from our spectacular glass roof, where the full beauty of the stars unfolds before your eyes." 

Graham Darke, Chairman of Sunderland Astonomical Society, said:

The telescope has revolutionised our understanding of the amazing universe of which we are a part.  During the past 400 years, we have learned much and seen fascinating sights along the way.

On Saturday we are delighted to be sharing some of the night sky's sights with the public at National Glass Centre, which appropriately celebrates the material which forms the essential element in any telescope - its glass lens or mirror. The Moon and the planet Jupiter will be our main targets for the evening."

Enjoy star spotting at night for £3.50 per person which includes warming refreshments served upstairs.  Booking is essential.  Please contact National Glass Centre 0191 515 5555 for more information or to book.  Visitors are asked to wrap up warm, wear a hat and bring a torch with them!

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Sunderland Astronomical Society  was formed in 1993 by a group of enthusiastic local amateur astronomers and has grown into one of the busiest such clubs in our region.  Based at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Washington, the society hold meetings on the second and third Sunday of each month.  New members are always welcome, contact Kevin Baxter, Society Treasurer, on 07969 922 961.

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This event complements Václav Cigler's exhibition at National Glass Centre: Light and Water as a Principle.  Cigler has worked with primary optical glass since the late 1950's and he uses glass, water, space and light to create space and make the viewer aware of the space around them using transparency and reflection.  Visitors will be given a bitesize tour of the Light and Water as a Principle exhibition after the talk by NGC's programme team. 

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