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Reach out
Dave Buttery
FRAS, Science Ambassador, Planetarian and Proprietor, Auriga Astronomy, Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Opening the eyes and minds of people to the wonders of the universe is the most amazing part of being an astronomy communicator. The sound of children and adults alike going "Wow!" again and again as image after image drifts by is a source of continued inspiration. It's only by understanding all the wonders - and boy are there many of those - of our truly stunning Universe, that we can even begin to understand where we fit in.
The public in the developed world are surrounded by technology and learning that those in many parts of the developing world can only dream of. But those in the developing world have an understanding and vision of nature, the night sky and how small we really are that we in the west forgot a long time ago. Astronomy and engaging the public in a better understanding of our science is the best way to 're-engage' those who have forgotten.
As a planetarium operator, I can offer a rare glimpse into an unpolluted night sky, a night sky those in Africa, South America and huge swaths of Asia take for granted. I once read that humans are the only creatures on Earth that can look up at a night sky and comprehend what they are seeing. On a recent trip to Tenerife I stood on Mount Teide at night, with the splendours of the Universe stretched out from horizon to horizon above me, whilst the lights of the nightclubs in the tourist resorts below illuminated the sky for nearly all visitors to the island. So few of them ever glimpsed up once, let alone gazed in wonder at what was there for free. I really feel we should all look up and think a few more times than we do.
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