Brian May, legendary guitarist and song writer with rock group Queen, and holder of a PhD in Astrophysics, paid a visit to the busy Open University stand at this year’s European AstroFest in Kensington Town Hall. He helped with a prize draw that saw three lucky prospective students win an OU course voucher and textbooks.
Open University staff were in high demand by visitors seeking advice on study opportunities in astronomy, planetary science and beyond. AstroFest is an annual event bringing together astronomy enthusiasts with businesses and organisations that supply the amateur astronomy market.
The OU stand was organised by Dr Ulrich Kolb and showcased selected CEPSAR research alongside OU teaching material. A live link to the OU’s remotely operable telescope facility PIRATE - which is available to students of Practical Science (S288) and Astrophysics (S382) – illustrated the potential of online study. Conveniently a neighbouring stand had the impressive telescope hardware used for PIRATE on display.
Find out more about Astrofest.
Pictured above is Brian May and Dr Ulrich Kolb at the prize draw.
21 February 2012