Sea the stars: science fest for Galway

EXOPLANETS AND marine exploration may seem light years apart, but a science “fest” planned for Galway next month aims to link the two.

The west coast capital has been selected to host Ireland’s “Sea2Sky” as part of the first European researchers’ night on September 23rd, involving 320 European cities.

The one-day celebration of “science in inner and outer space” coincides with national Culture Night and is being run by NUI Galway, along with the Marine Institute and Galway Atlantaquaria in Salthill.

Those aged between eight months and 80 years or more will be invited to explore marine and atmospheric science and astronomy at Leisureland and the Salthill aquarium.

In the lead-up to the event, artists from eight to 18 years old have been invited to design a research vessel for 2040 which Sea2Sky scientists can use.

Participants will be invited to probe gamma-ray bursts and exoplanets – planets outside the solar system – and to learn about deep-water corals, seabed mapping, and the diversity of whales and dolphins in Irish waters.

True to Culture Night’s spirit, research laboratories and museum collections will stay open till 11pm, and there will be demonstrations and simulations, experiments, contests and quizzes.

The organisers even suggest exchanging ideas and “partying” with researchers.

The event is funded under the EU’s Marie Curie Programme and Discover Science Engineering.

In the lead-up, an art competition for those aged between eight and 18 has been initiated.

Sea2Sky is billed as a free event that does not require tickets or advance booking.

Leisureland and Galway Atlantaquaria will run events from 11am-11pm on Friday, September 23rd.

More information on the event, and on the art competition, which closes on September 21st, can be found on the Sea2Sky website:

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