Wish You Were Here? Searching for Exoplanets

A Scottish Government Science Engagement Grant funded collaboration between The Royal Observatory Edinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art and the Universities of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Into Deep Space - Anne Milne & Alberto Iordanov

This film looks at the question of life outside of the solar system, focussing on the work of Dr Duncan Forgan – a theoretical astronomer from the University of Edinburgh – and Grant Miller, an observational astronomer based at the University of St Andrews. Grant uses the James Gregory Telescope in St Andrews to study exoplanets and part of Duncan’s work involves theoretical calculations and computer simulations – incorporating the latest exoplanet data – to improve our understanding of how and where we might expect to see life appearing in the Galaxy.

Find out more about 'Into Deep Space'

Close Distance - Stefano Nurra & Florian Schwarz

A comparison of the lives of an amateur astronomer, Caroyln Bol, based in Helensburgh who is participating in the citizen science project, ‘Planet Hunters’, and Dr Martin Dominik, Royal Society University Research Fellow at the University of St Andrews. Martin uses a technique called gravitational microlensing to detect small planets orbiting other stars. The film explores the enthusiasm Carolyn, an amateur, and Martin, a professional astronomer, share for the study of exoplanets.

Find out more about 'Close Distance'

Screenings

This list is growing every day. If you have a venue/event near you where you would like the films to be screened, do get in touch!

Friday November 9th, 7:30pm

Mills Observatory, Dundee

A Dundee Astronomical Society event. Dr Markus Hundertmark from the University of St Andrews will be the speaker at this event.

Monday November 12th, 7:30pm

Edinburgh Cafe Scientifique event at Royal Observatory Edinburgh

Speaker: Dr Ken Rice.
Free, but booking is required. To book your place at this event please email cafe.sci.edinburgh@googlemail
Spaces are limited.

Saturday 17th November, 3pm - 4:30pm

Hannah MacLure Centre, University of Abertay, Dundee

Part of the Dundee Science Festival.

Dr Christiane Helling from the University of St Andrews will be the speaker at this event.
Free, but booking is essential.
For full details and how to book, visit the event page on the Dundee Science Festival website

Friday 7th December, 7:30pm

New Wellwynd Parish Church, Wellwynd, Airdrie

An Airdrie Astronomy Association event. Speaker to be confirmed.

Past Screenings

Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th October

Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh

A weekend of astronomy fun for all the family, including comet making demos and meteorite handling. The films 'Into Deep Space' and 'Close Distance' will be shown throughout the weekend, with some talks from exoplanet scientists. On Sunday 28th October, there will be a special late night opening until 9pm, with stargazing sessions (weather dependent) from 7pm-9pm. You will be required to sign up on the night for these stargazing sessions, on a first come, first served basis. All other activities will be drop-in, no booking required.

For full details, please see the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh website

Friday 19th October

Gordonstoun School, Elgin

SIGMA - Moray's Astronomy Club will be hosting this event, which will include a stargazing session after a Q&A with an exoplanet expert.

Thursday October 18th, 7:30pm

Strathclyde University

An Astronomical Society of Glasgow event

Friday 12th October 7:45pm

Mugdock Country Park

In association with the British Science Association, West Scotland branch.

Wednesday 10th October, 6pm

Dundee Science Centre

Cafe Science Dundee event

Wednesday 19th September 7:30pm

Eastgate Theatre, Peebles

Part of the Peebles Science Festival. Booking through the Eastgate Centre.

Saturday 15th September 1-2pm

Stirling University

In conjunction with the Division of Literature & Languages, the films will be screened to mark the official launch of Stirling University's School of Arts and Humanities

Tuesday 11th September

Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall

Part of the Orkney International Science Festiva

Friday 7th September 1pm

University of Aberdeen

Part of the British Science Association Festival 2012. Following the films, there will be a Q&A session with an expert in the field of exoplanets.

Wednesday 5th September 7pm

Woodend Barn, Banchory

Part of the British Science Association Festival 2012. Following the films, there will be a Q&A session with an expert in the field of exoplanets and, weather permitting, a stargazing session.

Tuesday 14th August

Deep Fried Film Festival 2012, Conforti Intstitute, Coatbridge

"Into Deep Space" to be shown during the Deep Fried Film Festival as part of "Documentary Night". More Details

Thursday 9th August, 6pm

Apple Retail Store, Buchanan Street, Glasgow

Monday 6th August

British Science Association SciScreen event, Filmhouse, Edinburgh

Into Deep Space will be shown as part of this event and introduced by Prof. Charles Cockell of the UK Astrobiology Centre, University of Edinburgh. Following Into Deep Space, 'A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' will be screened, and after this a discussion with Prof. Cockell.

Saturday 7th July

UCD Imagine Science Film Festival, Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin

More Information

Friday 15th June

Castlehill Heritage Centre, Castletown

The Caithness Astronomy Group hosted a public talk by Professor Andrew Collier Cameron, University of St Andrews: 'Extrasolar Planets: From Hot Jupiters to Waterworlds'. As part of his talk, Prof. Cameron showed 'Into Deep Space'. Caithness Astronomy Group website

Tuesday June 5th

Glasgow University

Part of the Glasgow Science Festival Transit of Venus event. Glasgow Science Festival website