RAS Courtyard Late

The RAS is opening its doors to the public 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, 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 – especially Mars – have played in inspiring contemporary fiction. Aleriel (the first work of fiction to use the term 'Martian' to describe residents of that planet) is particularly notable for incorporating the very latest in Victorian thinking into its story 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.

6 pm	Doors Open
6.15 pm	Comet Forming Demonstration	Lecture Theatre
6.30 pm	Talk by Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer – Royal Observatory Greenwich	Library
6.45 pm	Comet Forming Demonstration	Lecture Theatre
7.30 pm	Talk by Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer – Royal Observatory Greenwich	Library
7.45 pm	Comet Forming Demonstration	Lecture Theatre
8.15 pm	Comet Forming Demonstration	Lecture Theatre
8.30 pm	Talk by Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer – Royal Observatory Greenwich	Library
9 pm	Doors Close

Copies of Aleriel available for purchase in the Fellows Room.
Website: www.ras.org.uk