An evening with the northern lights

On 6 October, join a panel of passionate experts whose professional lives overlap with nature’s most beautiful skyward phenomenon. Stargazing✦London, in connection with World Space Week 2021, brings you a free online event celebrating the art and science of auroras. From solar physics to other planets; remote arctic climes to artificial auroras in urban spaces, you’ll discover a surprising range of perspectives on a subject even more expansive than the sky itself.

Following our panel discussion, the aurora experts will answer your questions! It’s free to attend, but spaces are limited, so book a place now to avoid disappointment.

Meet your expert panel…

Adrien Mauduit is a science engineer, professional photographer, cinematographer andscience author, who is passionate about nature, space and the night sky. Originally from France, he completed an MSc in Canada before moving to Denmark to teach Science and Art. It’s here where Adriend encountered his first aurora. Finding unconditional and unequivocal love for the mesmerizing phenomenon, he bought his first camera to try and capture it. Since then, he’s traveled throughout the auroral zone to Canada, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland in search of the elusive Green Lady. Today, Adrien’s former hobby is a full-time job based in Arctic Norway, where he permanently resides. He now works relentlessly to produce innovative, educational media of our world under the night sky. Thanks to his scientific and artistic pedigree, Adrien always strives to produce work of the highest quality. His many years of experience chasing the aurora under harsh and inhospitable conditions have gained him worldwide recognition. Adrien’s aurora and Milky Way stills are particularly well known, but his innovative astro-timelapse sequences made him a pioneer in the nighttime documentary industry over the recent years. Click here to explore Adrien’s work

Affelia Wibisono (MSci Physics) is an experienced Science Communicator, specialising in astronomy. After working in Science Communication for a decade, she is currently undertaking a PhD at UCL’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory. In her research, Affelia uses observations by space telescopes and spacecraft, such as XMM-Newton, the Hubble Space Telescope and Juno, to investigate how and why Jupiter produces intense X-ray aurorae. She has continued her communication work alongside her PhD and is working with the Royal Institution to produce this year’s Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. With a vast portfolio, from writing for the Guardian and NASA, to TV interviews with BBC News and Sky News, and performing at festivals throughout the UK including Cheltenham Science Festival and Camp Bestival, Affelia is often called upon to communicate complex theories in an entertaining and digestible manner, using her scientific knowledge and science communication expertise to educate, engage and enthuse everyone in astronomy from toddlers, to grandparents to school groups. 

Dan Acher is an international artivist based in Switzerland, an Ashoka Fellow and the founder of Happy City Lab. He uses cities as playgrounds to create a sense of belonging and community. At the center of his work is art as generator of social change across local and global communities; his city-wide installations create spaces where strangers come together and connect beyond their differences. Dan has travelled widely exploring various cultures and has a New Zealand university background in social anthropology and management. He’s regularly invited to lead workshops and give talks on his work, which has featured in Slate,Vice/Creators Project, Mashable and Creative Review amongst others. Dan’s acclaimed installation, BOREALIS, brings the Northern Lights to urban spaces with a mesmerising, contemplative outdoor display. It has toured in Japan, Switzerland, Australia and the UK, most recently in Greenwich just minutes’ walk from the Royal Observatory. 

Ryan French is approaching the end of his PhD in Solar Physics at the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory, and is a Newkirk Fellow at the NCAR High Altitude Observatory in Boulder, USA. In his research, he uses space and ground-based telescope observations to investigate the dynamics of solar flares. Such events precede high-energy ejections of solar plasma which can lead to aurora storms. Ryan is also an active science communicator, routinely working with schools and the public to educate on topics in solar physics and astronomy. He is well known for his work with major science centres and observatories, as well as bringing expert analysis to millions through his media outreach on major broadcasters including the BBC. Ryan has travelled extensively in pursuit of beautiful, dark skies and encourages others to do the same by sharing his passion and expertise. 

Tom Kerss is an astronomer, astrophotographer, author and consultant, and the founder of Stargazing✦London. A veteran of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, he has focused his career on astronomy advocacy and sharing the night sky with anyone and everyone. With a background in astrophysics, space technology and science communication, he has written several best-selling astronomy books including the recently published Northern Lights: The Definitive Guide to Auroras (Collins, 2021). Tom has spent a decade working within the astronomy tourism industry, making dozens of aurora-chasing trips, which inspired and informed his latest guide. He has an extensive media portfolio, having frequently appeared on the BBC, Sky, CNN, national and international radio and in print. Tom is also the host of Stargazing✦London’s weekly podcast Star Signs, which provides news and stargazing bulletins to thousands of sky-watchers around the world. He’s an avid and resolute stargazer, who is always looking for his next astronomy adventure.