Edinburgh International Science Festival 2018 (31st March to 15th April)

by Charlie Evans · 04/04/2018

The two-week festival running from 31st March to 15th April gives audiences amazing experiences through a diverse programme of innovative events and the line up this year looks incredible. Here are some of the space and astronomy highlights that we are looking forward to this year!

Life Beyond Earth – Space and Astronomy highlights

NASA’S NEWEST RECRUIT – 6 APRIL

5.30PM / 90 MINS / £8.50/ £6.50 / #SCIFIVE £5

SUMMERHALL / RED LECTURE THEATRE

Looking for a career change? Did you want to be NASA’s recently advertised Planetary Protection Officer? As the number and range of space careers available expands, you could become the next  Moon miner, galactic architect or even alien cultural exchange officer. With science writer and broadcaster Marcus Chown and space career experts, discover the wealth of new jobs our explorations into space could offer.

THE DAY WITHOUT A YESTERDAY – 7 APRIL

5.30PM / 1 HOUR / £8.50/ £6.50 / #SCIFIVE £5

SUMMERHALL / MAIN HALL

The greatest discovery in the history of science is that there was a day without a yesterday. The Universe has not existed forever, it was born. It erupted into being in a titanic fireball called the Big Bang. Join science writer and broadcaster Marcus Chown to discuss the questions it raises, such as: What was the Big Bang? What drove the Big Bang? And what happened before? The latter is the most awkward question of all, and why most scientists had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the idea of the Big Bang.

IN SEARCH OF LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE – 9 APRIL

5.30PM / 1 HOUR / £8.50/ £6.50 / #SCIFIVE £5

SUMMERHALL / RED LECTURE THEATRE

What is out there? This question raises profound scientific questions, explored within the Festival’s theme of Life, the Universe and Everything. How did life originate on Earth? How has life persisted on Earth for over three billion years? Is there life elsewhere in the Universe? What is the future of life on Earth? Astrobiologist Prof Charles Cockell from The University of Edinburgh tries to answer all of these and more in the hunt for life out there.

GENERATION WEBB – 10 APRIL

8PM / 90 MINS / £8.50/ £6.50 / #SCIFIVE £5

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND / AUDITORIUM

The Hubble Space Telescope has achieved global fame since its launch back in 1990, producing iconic images and astounding discoveries about our Universe. As we approach the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, it’s time to meet a different kind of space telescope built for the next generation of cosmic explorers. Could this new model possibly eclipse its famous predecessor? Join astronomers Dr Marek Kukula, Prof Gillian Wright and others to decide for yourself.

Presented by Royal Observatory Edinburgh (UK Astronomy Technology Centre). Image:NASA, Marshall Space Flight Centre, David Higginbotham.

A SNAPSHOT OF THE STARS – 10 APRIL

8PM / 1 HOUR / £8.50/ £6.50 / #SCIFIVE £5

SUMMERHALL / ANATOMY LECTURE THEATRE

Astrophotography – like the breathtaking and inspiring photographs produced by the Hubble space telescope – has been capturing imaginations for decades. Here on Earth, you may not be Hubble, but you can still take amazing photographs of the stars. Join photographer Stuart Dreghorn to find out how to start taking amazing photos of the stars. Whether you’re using a simple mobile phone camera or one with more in-depth settings, you’ll be seeing stars through the lens.

A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN ASTRONOMY – 11 APRIL

8PM / 1 HOUR / £8.50/ £6.50 / #SCIFIVE £5

SUMMERHALL / DISSECTION ROOM

Prof Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, first female president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, is an astrophysicist best known for her discovery of pulsars, considered to be one of the greatest astronomical discoveries of the twentieth century. Join her as she tells the stories of several remarkable women in astronomy, and reflects on the position of women in astronomy worldwide today.

LEAVING PLANET EARTH – 13 APRIL

8PM / 90 MINS / £8.50/ £6.50 / #SCIFIVE £5

SUMMERHALL / DISSECTION ROOM

For 250,000 years, humans have been firmly rooted to the Earth. And, sure, it’s got some good things going for it: nice views, friendly people, good coffee… But what if you want to leave? If you’re looking for a complete change of scene, or just a bit of a break join science writer and broadcaster, Dallas Campbell for an informative and entertaining discussion taking in human space travel, cosmology and space science as he presents his top tips for leaving the planet.

SPACE OUTLAW – 13 APRIL

5.30PM / 90 MINS / £8.50/ £6.50 / #SCIFIVE £5

SUMMERHALL / RED LECTURE THEATRE

What are the laws in space? And how are they enforced? Join space law experts Joanne Wheeler MBE and Dr Chris Newman to play the jury in a series of example cases that could become more and more common as the number of countries and private companies leaving Earth for space increases. Does anyone own the Moon? Would you let someone else remotely fix your satellite with a robot in space? You decide!