The University of Iceland, the University Bookstore, and the Astronomy web have organised a stargazing session under the guidance of Sævar Helgi Bragason, Astronomy educator, in front of the University of Iceland's Main Building on Friday, 3 March between 8 and 9.30 P.M. All eyes and telescopes will be directed to the crescent moon, the Milky Way and hopefully the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Lights in the surrounding streets will be turned off on campus, in Vesturbær and the city centre, allowing us to enjoy the sky and Sævar Helgi's commentary to the fullest.
The aim of this event is to encourage people to enjoy nature and the sky in clear weather conditions, ideal for stargazing. Sævar Helgi Bragason, a well-known Icelandic astronomy expert, will describe what guests see in the night sky. Sævar Helgi has successfully taught astronomy at the University of Youth and the University Knowledge Train in recent years – both award-winning projects organised by the University of Iceland.
The event this Friday provides an excellent opportunity to examine the moon and various stars through telescopes provided by local amateur astronomers. If we are lucky, perhaps the Northern Lights will make an appearance as well.
The meeting point is on the green in front of the University's Main Building at 8 P.M. Lights in the surrounding streets will be turned off between 8.30 and 9.15 P.M. in Vesturbær (West Reykjavík) and the city centre; areas marked 10, 11 and 20 on the enclosed map. This is done in good collaboration with the City of Reykjavík and ON Power, allowing us to enjoy the sky and Sævar Helgi's commentary to the fullest.
The stargazing event on Friday is intended for all ages and participants are encouraged to use public transport to get there if at all possible. The buses that stop at the University of Iceland are: 14, 1, 6, 3 and 12 and buses 11 and 15 stop close by as well. The weather forecast predicts cold temperatures so warm clothing is necessary for this rendezvous with the stars.
A brand new map of the constellations over Iceland, produced in collaboration with Sævar Helgi, the University Bookstore and the University of Iceland, will be available to buy on site, as well as Sævar Helgi's book Stjörnuskoðun fyrir alla fjölskylduna (in Icelandic), which was published late last year.
The event on Friday is an excellent prelude to University Day on Saturday, when the University of Iceland opens its doors to the public to introduce the 400 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes on offer.
