Complementary programmes of “China’s Lunar and Mars Exploration” special exhibition

Aerospace History and Rockets
Date: 17.10.2024 (Thursday)

Shenzhou, Tiangong: A New Era
Date: 24.10.2024 (Thursday)

Expanding into New Frontiers of Space
Date: 31.10.2024 (Thursday)

For details, please refer to the Chinese version

Co-organized with Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen)

The roots of our modern constellations lay in the so-called Greek antiquity, when Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE conquered Babylon. The Babylonians were considered as the best astronomers of the ancient world. They had the best observations, the best mathematical algorithms, the best predictions - everything but a mechanical world model. With mere observations of the sky and the millennium project of so-called "Astronomical Diaries", they found long-term rhythms in the positions of planets and sophisticated mathematical procedures to forecast almanac data and the seasonal weather. The lecture will focus on the Babylonian "images in the sky", the constellation figures and their names, purposes as well as relations to every-day life in ancient Mesopotamia.

Speaker: Dr. Susanne M. Hoffmann (Visiting Scholar at University of Science and Technology of China, Chair of the International Astronomical Union Working Group on Star Names)

Cantonese Interpreter: Mr. Sze-leung Cheung (Jockey Club Project Chief Project Officer, Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre, Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen)

Co-organised with Laboratory for Space Research, The University of Hong Kong

The increasing number of man-made objects in space is making the problem of space junk more critical. A large number of debris pieces are orbiting in low Earth orbit (LEO), posing serious threats to satellites, rockets and space stations. Exploring space sustainability ensures that all humanity can use outer space for peaceful purposes and socioeconomic benefit today and in the future. This requires international cooperation, discussion, and agreements to maintain a safe and secure space environment.

This lecture series will introduce various aspects of space sustainability, including the scale and risks associated with space junk, along with innovative mitigation technologies. Speakers will also address the importance of data collection and sharing in enhancing space safety, the progress and challenges of international regulation in low Earth orbit (LEO), and the importance of public awareness in promoting space sustainability.

This lecture series is the public programme for the “Space Debris and Sustainability Conference” scheduled for 2 to 4 December 2024 at the Main Campus of The University of Hong Kong. For more information about the conference, please visit https://ssconf.space.

Topic is to be Confirmed
Date: 2.12.2024 (Monday)
Speaker: Prof. Olivier Contant (Executive Director, International Academy of Astronautics)

Space Debris: An Existential Threat to Human Exploitation of Low Earth Orbit
Date: 4.12.2024 (Wednesday)
Speaker: Prof. Quentin A Parker (Director of Laboratory for Space Research, University of Hong Kong)

Co-organised with Hong Kong Regional Group of The Geological Society of London

Complementary programmes of Space Theatre Show Antarctica 3D

Submarine Volcanism and Climate Change
Date: 22.12.2024 (Sunday)
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Climate Change since Little Ice Age
Date: 22.12.2024 (Sunday)
Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

The Antarctica and Relative Sea Level Change
Date: 28.12.2024 (Saturday)
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Marine Plastic Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Date: 28.12.2024 (Saturday)
Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

For details, please refer to the Chinese version