Children will get the chance to hold a piece of the moon as part of a line-up of family events announced for the new Bluedot festival.
The three-day festival of science, culture and music in the grounds of the Jodrell Bank observatory has revealed details of its family entertainment.
Children can get in free for the Sunday events.
Families can explore specially designed science shows, interactive workshops and meet and greets with science superheroes.
Budding astronauts are invited to join the interactive, intergalactic Star Field area to explore the latest discoveries and performances from Bluedot’s scientists.
Kids will be offered the chance to hold a piece of the moon collected by Apollo astronauts among other events taking place in the area and the Star Pavilion boasts an array of high-energy interactive shows.
There will be three demonstrations Dr Matt Pritchard, who is known as the Science Magician, alongside with two shows by Blue Peter scientist Steve Mould.
Pink space-mice the Clangers will be whistling hello inside the UK Space Agency Mission Control dome, where kids both big and small can enjoy screenings of some of the favourite episodes.
Ben Robinson, Festival Director, said: “Jodrell Bank is a great location for all ages, with many children visiting on school trips or group days out, it is the perfect place for the whole family.
“Space is a really exciting concept for children and we’re really hoping to inspire our younger audience, whether this through a scientific show or by getting their hands on a piece of the moon. It will be great to see families enjoying all that Bluedot has to offer.”
The festival also announced a galaxy of science’s brightest stars to appear as part of the festival’s science line-up, with more than 150 experts and academics on site debating some of the fascinating topics in their fields.
This includes TV presenter Dallas Campbell, known for filming in some of the world’s most challenging locations, talking about Mars and the story of the spacesuit.
Dr Matt Taylor, project scientist for the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft, will tell the story of the high-profile mission to drop the lander onto a comet and professor Stuart Reid will talk about the detection of Einstein’s gravitational waves – heralded as one of the most radical steps forward in studying the universe, which was made earlier this year.
The festival takes place from Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24.
Full weekend camping and day tickets are on sale.
For tickets and further information visit discover thebluedot.com.
