Spotlight on Outreach – World Space Week and 60 Years of Space Exploration

The Astrophysics, Astronomy and Mechanics Department of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens organised two large-scale events for young and old to celebrate some space milestones.

World Space Week 2017

On Sunday 8th October, 2017, more than 200 people attended an event to celebrate World Space Week. Activities included:

• Observation of the Sun with telescopes and provision of information about the solar photospheric and chromospheric phenomena.
• Lecture by Petros Dagdilellis, “Overcoming gravity – the first steps”, about the first human attempts to travel to space.
• Presentation of the movie “The amazing adventures of Rosetta and Philae” about ESA’s Rosetta mission.
• Construction and launch of improvised rockets by compressed air and water.
• Interactive theatre play “Space Explorers”.
• Craft, painting and building workshops for kids.

The evening ended with a tour at the University of Athens Observatory, with observations of the night sky and a presentation on how the telescope works. See full event report and more images.

60 Years of Space Exploration

On Sunday 17th December, more than 500 people attended the Department of Physics for an event to celebrate 60 Years of Space Exploration. Activities included:

• Observation of the Sun with telescopes and information about the phenomena of the solar photosphere and chromosphere.
• Lecture by Dr. Kosmas Gazeas entitled “60 years of space exploration”.
• “Control Room” interactive game, based on the idea of “Escape Room”.
• “Astropoly” interactive game, based on the idea of “Monopoly”
• Space quiz for everybody.
• Crafts, painting and constructions for kids.

See full event report and more images.

The success of the events, led by Dr Kosmas Gazeas was primarily thanks to the efforts of the following students: P. Alexakis, M. Atsalis, K. Vavouraki, G. Gaggadis, T. Gerasopoulou, A. Gogou, J. Dimitriadi,  T. Dimitriadi, G. Theodoropoulou. G. Theodorou, C. Karathanasis, S. Karampotsiou, A. Karipis, P. Katsiavria, S. Kerasioti, E. Kefala, K. Kefala, D. Koutsiou, M. Konstantaki, A. Konstantinou, G. Loukaidou, L. Bakogianni, S. Boula, S. Palafouta, A. Papadami, M. Petropoulou, A. Pitsari, E. Samara, V. Samara, L. Tzouganatos, I. Florou, P. Tsiapi, C. Chatzichristodoulou, V. Chliaras, I. Choleva, E. Christopoulou.