National Astronomy Week 2020 will take place from Saturday 14 - Saturday 22 November, celebrating the close approach of Mars and its prominence in the night sky during the latter part of the year.
National Astronomy Week (NAW) usually sees events organised across the UK to promote stargazing and observing to the public, but this year COVID 19 restrictions mean that online observing sessions will go ahead instead.
Organisers plan to live-stream views of Mars through amateur and professional telescopes both in the UK and abroad, as well as hosting live Q&A forums.
There will also be daily online sessions for young astronomers held by UK science outreach organisations and amateur astronomy societies.
National Astronomy Week has been taking place since 1981 and is always held to mark a significant astronomy event that can bring together astronomers across the UK, both amateur and professional, experienced and newcomers.
The NAW committee comprises representatives from all the major UK astronomical societies and organisations.
NAW chairperson Dr Lucinda Offer says: “We hope that with this imaginative approach, this year’s National Astronomy Week will reach even more people around the country than ever before.”
For more information about this year's event and to get involved, visit the National Astronomy Week website or email info@astronomyweek.org.uk. You can also follow NAW on Twitter and Facebook.
