Explorers of the Universe at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory.
CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory (BCO) in Cork is a centre that provides space age technology and information in a 400 year old Castle. On July 2nd at the monthly open night First Fridays at the Castle BCO will launch Explorers of the Universe, an exciting photography exhibition by acclaimed photographer Max Alexander. The photographic exhibition will be showing until September 2nd 2010 uniquely in Ireland at Blackrock Castle in association with the European Space Education Resource Office, ESERO Ireland.
Through interpretive and character portraits, photographer Max Alexander introduces us to astronomers such as Sir Bernard Lovell, founder of Jodrell Bank, one of the world’s most advanced radio astronomy telescopes, Professor Stephen Hawking and the discoverer of pulsars, Professor Jocelyn Bell-Burnell DBE.
Supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council and the Royal Astronomical Society, the exhibition includes pictures of leading UK astronomers, all of whom have made huge contributions to our understanding of the Universe, while other photographs capture the wonder of astronomy and the wide fascination astronomy inspires for both scientists and the public.
The exhibition can be viewed daily with admission to Cosmos at the Castle at Blackrock Castle and freely at the courtyard Castle Bar and Trattoria or during one of three free open days every First Friday throughout the summer.
Max Alexander is a professional photographer and Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and has had a lifelong interest in astronomy. He says, “Astronomy equally fascinates scientists and the public. Ever since Galileo first looked up into the sky with his telescope 400 years ago, finding out more about our universe has captured our collective imagination.”
Steve Owens, International Year of Astronomy 2009 UK Co-ordinator says, “We’re always looking for new and innovative ways of involving people in astronomy, and this exhibition at Cork’s wonderful Blackrock Castle Observatory is a great way to engage an Irish audience.”
