Remote unmanned robots and satellites have vastly increased our knowledge of the solar system. We can even carry out geological field work remotely or return soil samples. So there is really no need for us humans to leave the planet. Or is there?

The event will start at 8 pm with Dr. N. Campion (University of Wales) making a case for human space flight. In his talk "The Space Race - Why we have to travel to the stars" he will review our past endeavours and illustrate a deep routed need for humans to face the challenges of human space exploration. This talk will be followed by a brief introduction on what is visible in this month's sky.

Afterwards, visitors will get a tour of the NTU observatory and the chance to see interesting objects in the autumn sky with the observatory's telescopes, small telescopes, and binoculars if the weather allows it.

If the weather is not good, a small planetarium session will be offered in the observatory pointing out objects of interest.

Booking is required for this event. Please contact Daniel Brown to register.

For further information about the optical observatory, please visit the observatory website.