European astrofest 2023

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European AstroFest 2023 was a celebration of astronomy and space exploration, with thousands of people attending the conference and exhibition.

AstroFest saw two days of talks from amateur and professional astronomers. Seen here is Michelle Dougherty of Imperial College describing the JUICE mission to Jupiter and its moons (see also pages 22–27).
AstroFest saw two days of talks from amateur and professional astronomers. Seen here is Michelle Dougherty of Imperial College describing the JUICE mission to Jupiter and its moons (see also pages 22–27).
The ground floor at AstroFest was constantly busy. In total there were 23 exhibitors at the show, with everything from telescopes, binoculars and accessories to meteorites, books, ornaments, university courses and society memberships on offer.
The ground floor at AstroFest was constantly busy. In total there were 23 exhibitors at the show, with everything from telescopes, binoculars and accessories to meteorites, books, ornaments, university courses and society memberships on offer.
Allan Chapman of the University of Oxford returned once more to AstroFest to chat with co-chair Lucie Green about who he thinks are the greatest astronomers in history.
Allan Chapman of the University of Oxford returned once more to AstroFest to chat with co-chair Lucie Green about who he thinks are the greatest astronomers in history.
Queen guitarist Brian May was at AstroFest to sign books and present a new film about Patrick Moore.
Queen guitarist Brian May was at AstroFest to sign books and present a new film about Patrick Moore.

European AstroFest brought the Universe to London on 3–4 February 2023 with a stellar line-up of speakers, dozens of exhibitors and thousands of attendees all converging on Kensington Conference and Events Centre.

Old and new faces were abound. Brian May is practically a regular at European AstroFest now, and he attended on the Saturday to reveal clips from a forthcoming documentary about Patrick Moore and the 2004 transit of Venus, as well as to sign books (and presumably records!) with a long queue stretching down the hallway at the front of the building. 

Allan Chapman, one of the conference’s most prolific speakers, sat down for a ‘fireside chat’ with conference chair Lucie Green, regaling the audience with his thoughts on who history’s greatest astronomers are. As a gesture of appreciation for everything Allan has done for European AstroFest and Astronomy Now, publisher Steven Young presented him on stage with the Astronomy Now lifetime achievement award.

Brian and Allan were joined by some veteran (I hope they don’t mind us calling them that!) astronomers in the form of Richard Ellis, Stephen Smartt and Michele Dougherty, back for repeat appearances as they talked about their respective fields (galaxies, supernovae and the JUICE mission to Jupiter). 

Then there were new faces: Olivia Smedley from Goonhilly, talking about the work of the radio dishes at Cornwall’s revitalised Earth station; Emma Curtis-Lake discussing what the JWST is showing us about the early Universe; Sabina Raducan bringing us up to date on the DART mission and its follow-up, Hera; Miho Janvier showing what Solar Orbiter has been finding on the Sun; and Tony Padilla musing on the mysteries of cosmic expansion. 

The conference talks were rounded off by Will Gator on lunar sketching, Michael Perryman on the Gaia mission, Mark McCaughrean getting an extended session to show off the first images from JWST, Abigail Beall on urban astronomy, and Geraint Jones on the forthcoming Comet Intercepter mission. 

Added to all this were three floors of exhibits and dealer stands, and the chance for attendees to catch up with old friends they may not have seen in three years, and European AstroFest 2023 was a huge success. Now we look forward to the next event, which will be back at Kensington on 2–3 February 2024.

The audience were treated to exclusive footage of a new documentary, entitled Patrick Moore in the Sun, about astronomers observing 2004’s transit of Venus at Patrick Moore’s home in Selsey.
The audience were treated to exclusive footage of a new documentary, entitled Patrick Moore in the Sun, about astronomers observing 2004’s transit of Venus at Patrick Moore’s home in Selsey.
AstroFest is Europe’s largest astronomy show, with three floors of telescopes and exhibitors. Here we see telescopes on the First Light Optics stand on the lower floor at AstroFest.
AstroFest is Europe’s largest astronomy show, with three floors of telescopes and exhibitors. Here we see telescopes on the First Light Optics stand on the lower floor at AstroFest.
An interested attendee is shown the Askaŕ 130 PHQ flat-field apochromat, which is a four-element, f/7.7 triplet.
An interested attendee is shown the Askaŕ 130 PHQ flat-field apochromat, which is a four-element, f/7.7 triplet.
AstroFest is a great place to get to see some big telescopes, such as those on the Orion Optics UK stand, in person.
AstroFest is a great place to get to see some big telescopes, such as those on the Orion Optics UK stand, in person.
Refractors galore with Rother Valley Optics’ Horizon brand, on their stand on the upper floor at AstroFest.
Refractors galore with Rother Valley Optics’ Horizon brand, on their stand on the upper floor at AstroFest.
Richard Ellis, of UCL, spoke at AstroFest about the birth of galaxies and signed copies of his new book, When Galaxies Were Born.
Richard Ellis, of UCL, spoke at AstroFest about the birth of galaxies and signed copies of his new book, When Galaxies Were Born.
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