Science In Space with Tim Peake and Tim Kopra

pic UK Space Agency

By Eric Emms

Few reading this blog would not have heard of Tim Peake's six month mission aboard the International Space Station. Following his return to Earth in June Tim has been speaking of his time in Space.

The event I attended on 19 October was the last one of eleven held in the UK on five consecutive days taking in eight UK cities organised by the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency and billed as Science In Space with the first British ESA astronaut Tim Peake and NASA's Tim Kopra.

Held at the Royal Albert Hall to a full capacity audience of 5,000 the evening was divided into two parts; to begin both astronauts, in conversation with the television presenter Dallas Campbell, spoke of their experiences aboard Expedition 46/47 of the ISS. An half-hour Q&A session followed with audience members, notably many were excited children, queueing to ask their questions.

Both Tims explained the objectives of their mission; of the space station acting as a laboratory where in near zero gravity experiments are conducted measuring the physiological and psychological changes to humans during months away from Earth and observing effects on material and plant specimens. Such knowledge is needed when humans embark on future journeys to Mars. Also on stage was Bridget, the UK-built Mars rover that Tim Peake controlled remotely from the ISS as part of preparations for human-robotic missions to other worlds.

One of the principal aims of Tim Peake’s time aboard devised by the U.K. Space Agency was to engage and enthuse schoolchildren about science and promote of study of STEM subjects. Many of his experiments and activities when aboard involved the participation of youngsters back in the UK.

Peake spoke of his loss of bone density and body-weight, the 'ageing' of his cardiovascular system, skin and eyesight and the weakening of his muscles during his sojourn but regained following weeks back on Earth. I particularly enjoyed descriptions of how they both felt during their joint space walk and of their bumpy ride back to Earth.

Peake and Kopra both spoke in an engaging way which clearly stimulated the audience, an effect underlined during the Q&A when eager children and adults posed a range of questions about life as an astronaut. One amusing question was whether Peake was scared of heights when on the ISS - he replied only when on his spacewalk he had just Australia visible beneath him! Asked whether he wanted to go back to Space Peake replied with his enduring months of training on Earth and fantastic experiences aboard the ISS he would love to return: a desire, I’m sure, supported by all present at the Royal Albert Hall that evening.

Central London SUNday 2015

Each summer I organise Central London SUNday, a solar observing and imaging event, to coincide with International SUNday. Held in Regent's Park on a Sunday (of course) it attracts the curious and astronomers armed with white light and hydrogen-alpha filtered telescope and binoculars. The day is a fun, family-friendly and free event.

This year I held the event on 21st June which happened to fall both on Mid-Summer's Day and Father's Day.
Earlier in the week the weather forecast of light to heavy cloud for the Sunday was not looking promising and rain fell in London on the Saturday. I awoke on SUNday to 100% cloud cover but this soon parted as I walked the short distance to Hanover Gate carrying my Lunt LS60T solar scope.
By the time I had set up at 10:00 BST three other astronomers, all Baker Street Irregulars, had joined and we were soon observing the glories of the Sun as our nearest star emerged from the clouds for extended periods.

By lunch-time approximately 40 people had joined the throng looking through a dozen assembled solar adapted 'scopes and bins. 






Photo by Matthew Hodgson




Thankfully the Sun was displaying impressive features: through white light filters the umbra and penumbra of the sunspots of the huge active region AR2719 wowed the viewers. Through the scopes equipped with H-a, including my Lunt, the plages of the group and prominences, one spectacular in size, brought delight to all. I was encouraged that so many observers were children and first-timers: we amateur astronomers always love the 'wows' from the public.








Photo by Lea Chillcott




During cloudy periods picnics were consumed by the many of the group during cloudy periods and solar images were displayed and recorded during the many sunny sessions. After six hours standing in the park, observing, explaining the importance of the Sun, and socialising with old and new friends I left for home. I wasn't the last to leave: a couple stayed until the sun dropped behind trees at 7:30.
It was an enjoyable day in a beautiful London park enjoying the sun and the fellowship of like-minded astros. Take a look at the many photographs taken during the day.