Find out more here:

Piazzi Smyth Nelson Monument Exhibition

Here are some notes/news from Exhibition opening.

Matjaz, Elsa and Alastair launch the Space Enlightenment FEstival with a 10min piece at Shoreline of Infinity’s special edition of Event Horizon: “Boldly Go!”.

Science fiction authors will present their latest short tales to be published in Scotland in Space this autumn by Shoreline of Infinity. These authors will offer short readings of their stories and discuss the questions these pose on the social implications of Scottish space exploration and offer meaningful pointers to how the country can explore space in an inclusive and non-exploitative manner. The seminar will also include short talks by academics who have written accompanying essays which offer background scientific, social and literary information to the science fictional tales. The discussion will be followed by a short drinks reception in which the audience can ask the panel more questions. Join us for an evening of interdisciplinary thought provoking discussion!

Speakers:
Laura Lam – Speculative Fiction Author
Dr Russell Jones – Science Diction Writer and Editor
Matjaz Vidmar – Research Student – Science Technology and Innovation Studies, The University of Edinburgh
Dr Beth Biller – Reader, Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh
Dr Sean McMahon – UK Centre for Astrobiology, The University of Edinburgh
Dr Elsa Bouet – Lecturer in English, Edinburgh Napier University

THE EVENT IS FREE, BUT BOOKING A TICKET IS COMPULSORY.
You can book your tickets from here (Eventbrite)!

As part of Collective’s regular programme, the tour on 6th June will be given by a SDOS member, Matjaz Vidmar.

Bringing the Universe to the City: Architecture, Instruments and Science in a Changing World

The role of the Edinburgh’s Royal Observatory changed with times, but it always provided critical linking between our view on the Universe, the city’s landscape and institutional architecture; and the instruments, ideas and people which inhabit it. In this tour of the revived and reinspired Calton Hill site we will examine the key types of astronomical instruments in the spaces they used to inhabit and recount many fascinating stories linking individual experiences of life and work at the observatory with the broader context of advancing science and technology within and for the city of Edinburgh and wider Scotland.

TICKETS REQUIRED (via Collective): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/matjaz-vidmar-tour-tickets-61226560290

And about Matjaz: https://www.roe.ac.uk/~vidmar/

Outer space’s abstract appearance leads to a desire for its systemisation in order to conceptualise and normativize the human position within it. This includes epistemological “systems of thought” and ontologies of “natural systems”. Their architectural construction is by necessity defined by perspectival characterisation, with core differentiation of belonging(s) and position(s).

This workshop will explore the emergent systemisation of outer space with specific reference to inclusivity, through attempts at “world making” through life systems and architectures. We will integrate perspectives from natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and art, and deploy creative “fieldwork” and “design” approaches to defining vision(s) of inclusivity in the context of emerging outer space systems.

Advance registration is compulsory and spaces are limited! 

If you are interested in taking part in the workshop, please, e-mail Matjaz Vidmar before 15th June 2019.

Systems and architectures are ways in which humans construct our understanding of the position within, and belonging to, the environment we inhabit – in particular at the limits of our reach, such as in exploring Outer Space.

The talks contained in this seminar will examine the development of these systems and architectures with specific reference to different perspectives on conceptual/physical/biological and techno-scientific/economic/socio-political inclusivity at the “final frontier”.

This seminar will integrate perspectives from natural sciences, social sciences and arts to explore and problematise the envisioning of environments and conditions for new systematic understanding and architectural expansion of the human presence in the Universe.

Speakers:

Paola Castaño – social scientist / sociology of International Space Station

Pippa Goldschmidt – author / “Need for Better Regulation of Outer Space”

Máté Ravasz – molecular biologists / “Lettuce on Mars” Biology Lead

Followed by Q&A and informal drinks reception.

THE EVENT IS FREE, BUT BOOKING A TICKET IS COMPULSORY: https://inclusive-outer-space.eventbrite.co.uk

Please, do join us as well for our final seminar on 19 July: Re(En)Visioning Space Exploration: From the Moon Landing to Further Afield, as well as other events in the inaugural Space Enlightenment Festival.

Officially launching the brand new Curious Edinburgh Astronomy Tour with a walk along the Royal Mile, Mound, George Street and up to Calton Hill, discovering Edinburgh’s rich Astronomical past.

THE EVENT IS FREE, BUT BOOKING A TICKET IS COMPULSORY.
Please, book through Eventbrite: https://curious-edinburgh-astronomy-launch-tour.eventbrite.co.uk 

The development of the tour was kindly supported by the IoP in Scotland and British Society for History of Science Outreach Grants.

For more information on the Curious Edinburgh App see: http://curiousedinburgh.org/

Scottish first “Space Up” unconference, bringing together in an informal environment academics, professionals, entrepreneurs, communicators, – in short everyone who cares about Outer Space!

For more information and tickets see: http://spaceup.org/glasgow/

We are delighted to invite you to the book launch of Fraser MacDonald’s Escape from Earth: A Secret History of the Space Rocket, hosted by Blackwell’s and introduced by Pippa Goldschmidt.

Reserve your free tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lies-spies-rockets-and-socialism-with-fraser-macdonald-tickets-63063906843

About the Book

1930s Los Angeles: Everyone knows that rockets are just toys, the stuff of cranks and pulp magazines. Yet an earnest engineering student named Frank Malina is less certain. With the help of his friend Jack Parsons, a grandiose explosives enthusiast with a taste for the occult, Frank methodically sets about turning spaceflight from fantasy to reality. Their journey takes them from junk yards and desert lots to the heights of the military industrial complex. Malina’s design becomes the first American rocket in space, while the basic strategy that he mapped out – multi-stage rocketry – becomes our stepping-stone to the universe. By rights, he should be recognised as a giant of the twentieth century. So why is his name almost unknown?

Drawing on an array of untapped sources, including FBI documents, personal testimonies and the vast Malina family archive, Fraser MacDonald uncovers the startling truth. Frank was a communist, intent on revolution in America. His dreams of space and his visions of a new society stemmed from the same impulse: to let reason light our way to the future. But when the technology he invented became the key to the Cold War’s balance of power, Frank was a marked man, and the net was closing.

Full of explosive revelations, Escape From Earth turns the familiar story of the Space Race upside down. Enter a paranoid world of surveillance and betrayal, bizarre delusions and all-too-justified fears. Legends of science such as Theodore von Karman and J. Robert Oppenheimer cross paths with Soviet operatives and aspirant Messiahs. At its heart, however, this is an Icarus story: a true fable about the miracle of human ingenuity and the danger of dreams. Another world may be possible – but at what price?

About the Author

Fraser MacDonald teaches historical geography at the University of Edinburgh and is a founding member of the Social Dimensions of Outer Space network. He has been interested in space flight since the age of seven, when he met the Apollo 15 astronaut Colonel James B. Irwin at a public event in Aberdeen. Fraser contributes regularly to the Guardian among other publications. Escape from Earth is his first book.

50 years ago, Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon. Since our fascination with sending people into space has not stopped and we are now contemplating sending people to Mars. But as we are doing so, looking back at the political, technological and social achievements and mistakes made during this enterprise can help us make our future explorations to Mars an even bigger success for all humanity.

The talks contained in this seminar will examine the representations of the Moon in the literary imagination to help us unpack our fascination with the Moon. The talks will also explain the technology and the science which have allowed mankind to land on the Moon and to return safely home, the history and politics of the space race which have allowed man to take off into space, and the legal framework that has caused international division but could unite us in our space exploration. The talks will also reflect on how Scotland could provide a model for this more inclusive exploration.

Speakers:

Dr Simon Malpas – Lecturer in English Literature, The University of Edinburgh

Dr Saskia Vermeylen – Lecturer in Law, The University of Strathclyde

Dr Fraser MacDonald – Lecturer in Historical Geography, The University of Edinburgh

Dr Alastair Bruce – Researcher in Astronomy, The Royal Observatory of Edinburgh

Followed by Q&A and informal drinks reception and opening of mini-exhibition.

BOOK TICKETS via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reenvisioning-space-exploration-from-the-moon-landing-and-beyond-tickets-63954032232

Do join us for this final seminar and this celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing!

More details will soon be available at www.sdos.ac.uk and follow Social Dimensions of Outer Space on Twitter (@S_D_O_S)!

This mini-exhibition is showcasing the current technological developments allowing for further exploration of Outer Space (from Scotland), contrasted with the development of conceptual ideas and scientific enquiries into the understanding of the Universe.

Launching rockets is the last missing piece in the growing Scottish space industry. Plans are underway to send satellites, and people, into outer space from Scotland. Sutherland, Unst and Prestwick are some of the possible launch sites. But how much it will all cost and what impact will it have on the environment and local communities? What kind of jobs will it create in these areas and who will profit? Could the money be better spent on something else? Matjaz Vidmar (University of Edinburgh) argues that the space race might not be worth winning.

Part of Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas at Edinburgh Fringe.

Funded by the SPS Student Development Office.

Please, book your tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/scotland-the-final-frontier

“Space Exploration Must be Waste of Money – Should We Fund our NHS Instead!?”

Big money is going into Space Exploration and Industry, which inevitably leads to big questions on whether is it really worth it. As excitement for the “final frontier” grows again and a new (commercial) Space Race brewing, various countries are making contradictory claims on anything from asteroid mining for precious metals to building a “space force”. Are you starting to ask yourself: what are they really doing up there? Should we go back to the Moon? Moreover, Scotland now wants to be part of it all, too, but how much will it cost to build a spaceport in Sutherland? Do we need to build new roads first? To cut through these confusing propositions, Matjaz Vidmar will take us on a short guided tour of what it is all about and lead on a discussion on whether we should do more “Space” or would it be better to fund the NHS instead?

Similar events on the Fringe normally cost around £10 but all our Fringe events are free and non-ticketed.

Entry is first-come-first-served basis and we will ask for a donation to help cover our costs. Your support is very welcome.

Venue is strictly over-18 and access is via a narrow staircase.

If you need help getting access, please let us know in advance (email contact@edskeptics.co.uk) and we will try to help.

For more information see:

Piazzi Smyth Symposium