Shining a new light on the Sun

7 June 2018

University unveils captivating images of our closest star at Gibraltar’s John Mackintosh Hall

Star-gazing Gibraltarians and visitors to the John Mackintosh Hall will soon be able to immerse themselves in the majesty of the Sun like never before thanks to the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), and the Gibraltar Astronomical Society.

Placing cutting-edge scientific research in the heart of Gibraltar, ‘From the Earth to the Sun’ is a stunning exhibition of images of our closest star captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamic Observatory.  Along with an especially composed sound track, visitors will observe the Sun in ways that are normally beyond the capability of the human eye.

The three-day touring exhibition, which has already received rave reviews in the UK by the thousands who have seen it, starts on Wednesday, 20 June 2018. The programme finishes with a special ‘Star-gazing Live’ Science Evening at Europa Point on Friday, 22 June 2018 consisting of talks by professional astronomers as well as public observing of planets and galaxies through dedicated telescope viewings.

"The University of Central Lancashire is extremely proud to be bringing world-class research in astronomy and astrophysics to Gibraltar in this engaging and interactive way."

Professor Robert Walsh, solar astronomer from UCLan, said: “From our contacts in the area we know that Gibraltar is full of interested stargazers! Our exhibition will give them the opportunity to get right up close to a forbidding place where temperatures reach a million degrees and violent storms have knock on effects here on Earth.”

William Recagno, President of the Gibraltar Astronomical Society commented: “We’re delighted to welcome the University to Gibraltar for what will be a visually stunning exhibition and stargazing evening.”

During the visit the UCLan team will engage with local school children with the week-long activity also being part of a cultural experience event for a dozen undergraduate students from University’s campus in the UK.

A YouTube video advertising the exhibition can be viewed on Youtube here. Further details on timings for all activities can be found at the Facebook page.

Example exhibition images here

Please note that the Stargazing Live event is weather dependent.

‘From the Earth to the Sun’
‘From the Earth to the Sun’