Unique performance to explore the mysteries of the Universe as Liverpool hosts the largest professional astronomy and space science event in the UK for over a decade.

29 March 2018: A new project combining cutting edge astronomy with performance art will be premiered at the European Week of Astronomy & Space Science (EWASS), organised by the European Astronomical Society and the Royal Astronomical Society in Liverpool on 3rd April.  The event is  the largest professional astronomy and space science event in the UK for a decade

The performance piece is developed by arts collective Operation Lightfoot in collaboration with LJMU’s Astrophysics Research Institute.  The creative team also includes students from the creative writing, audio production and dance departments.

It will consist of a number of smaller pieces, each themed on a particular aspect of the research done at the Astrophysics Research Institute. This includes facilitating the robotic operation of the Liverpool Telescope located in La Palma, developing a clearer understanding of star and galaxy formation, and even applying techniques used in astronomy to improve wildlife conservation. Dr Helen Jermak, Project Scientist for the New Robotic Telescope, said“It has been incredibly interesting to work with a variety of different departments within LJMU to communicate our research in different ways. This has been a fun collaboration to be a part of with many staff and students across LJMU working together to create an exciting and engaging performance.”

Luke Moore – Composer & Artistic Director, Operation Lightfoot said:

“The researchers, staff and students at the Astrophysics Research Institute have been an absolute pleasure to work with so far and I’m excited to share the results with them in the performance.   Operation Lightfoot are also really pleased to be providing the opportunity for several students from LJMU to work alongside our professional lead artists on some of the dance, creative writing, film and audio production elements of the piece”.

EWASS opens on 3rd April and the programme will include a number of public events throughout the week including Astronomy on Tap (4th April), ‘Brave New Worlds: the planets in our galaxy’ public talk (6th April) and Merseyside Astronomy Day (7th April).