We're celebrating our role as hosts of the UK's leading astronomy conference next week (7-11 July) with a series of free events for the public to enjoy.
The Royal Astronomical Society's (RAS) National Astronomy Meeting 2025 connects diverse communities ranging from professional researchers to schools, community groups, artists, industry representatives, and local communities.
The conference combines professional scientific sessions with free public outreach activities, designed to inspire thousands of non-professional astronomers and promote wider engagement with space science.
Free evening events
This includes a series of evening events at Durham University's Teaching and Learning Centre on South Road, in Durham.
On Monday 7 July, from 6pm to 7.30pm, visitors can explore Moon Palace, an artwork and working mobile observatory conceived by the East Leeds Project, designed and created by the artists Heather Peak and Ivan Morison
They can also see the RAS's Bicentennial Quilts display and visit Space Investigators, a multi-sensory journey into the hidden world of the Universe.
These events are followed by a presentation by Professor Isobel Hook, from Lancaster University, on exploding stars and dark energy, (Monday 7 July, 7.30pm-9pm).
On Thursday 10 July (6pm-7.15pm), members of the public can learn about the incredible work being done by students around the country as each explains their complex research in just three minutes.
This is followed by a live recording of the RAS's Supermassive Podcast, the UK's most listened to astronomy podcast, (7.30pm-9pm).
NAM 2025 art room
On both days, visitors can also take in the NAM 2025 art room featuring the work of professional artists and community partners, as well as seeing the work of youth groups and primary school children who have been working on the Centre for Life's Moon Base Challenge.
And on Saturday 12 July, Seven Stories' brand-new pop-up Two Tales, in Durham City's Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, will host activities for families with children aged four-plus. Based on the story of a steam-powered spaceship, and involving dressing-up and rocket design, this free event will be available at 10.30am and 2pm.
NAM brings together some of the world's best space scientists to share the latest in astronomical research. But just as importantly, this is a chance for the public to feed their curiosity for the cosmos. The theme of NAM 2025 is community and we look forward to welcoming everyone to our free public activities.
