BBC and University of Birmingham host Stargazing LIVE event

This week, the University of Birmingham will open its doors to enthusiastic stargazers for two unique events at its Edgbaston campus. Discover the ins and outs of space travel, the Big Bang theory or the solar system with University experts. The BBC's Stargazing Live is back this year and has launched a number of exciting events throughout the UK to mark its return and encourage everyone, from the complete beginner to the enthusiastic amateur, to make the most of the night sky. University student society, AstroSoc and our Gravitational Wave research group have teamed up with BBC Stargazing to put on inspiring and educational astronomical activities for students and the local community in line with the BBC stargazing TV series. Contributing to a national stargazing celebration, the exciting events include planetarium shows, Mars Rover simulation, rocket making, playing Black Hole Pong, telescope building, alien activities and night time star cruises as well as topical talks and discussions with experts from the University's School of Physics and Astronomy. The events will take place on Wednesday 9 from 5 pm and Saturday 12 January from 11 am. Andreas Freise, Reader in Experimental Physics, said `Our students are experts in producing inspiring activities for all ages and together with the BBC we can bring this to a new level.