Stargazing Live comes to ANU

20 March 2017

ANU astronomy will take centre stage around the world as BBC and ABC host a series of live stargazing events from the ANU Siding Spring Observatory over two weeks in March and April.

The events will coincide with the launch of two ANU citizen science projects investigating the Universe using the SkyMapper telescope at Siding Spring.

Over three consecutive nights, from 28 to 30 March at 8pm London time on each night, Professor Brian Cox and comedian Dara O Briain will host the BBC's Stargazing Live from Siding Spring.

The live event will feature special guests and is expected to be viewed by a TV audience of about 5 million people.

The following week, for three nights from 4 April, ABC, ABC2 and ABC iview will broadcast an Australian version of Stargazing Live.

Professor Brian Cox and TV presenter Julia Zemiro will be joined by a cast of Australia's leading scientists, space experts and celebrities including actor comedian Josh Thomas and Gardening Australia's Costa Georgiadis.

Throughout the series, the Stargazing Live audiences will be encouraged to help make scientific history by participating in the ANU citizen science projects - watch this space.

Following each night's ABC broadcast, Stargazing Live: Back To Earth will be aired on ABC2. Viewers can use social media to send questions directly to Professor Cox and Julia, post their favourite astronomy pictures and take part in astronomy discussions and debates live on air.

During the BBC and ABC Stargazing Live programs, follow @ScienceANU on Twitter and the ANU Facebook page to see all the action behind the scenes.