The enormous screen announcing Astrofest 2012, with my laptop in front of it. © Hanny van Arkel.
Astrofest, for those new to the phenomenon: huge astronomy event in Kensington, London, with lectures, book signings, an exhibition and many cool people. The place to be every second weekend in February, in short. This year would be the fifth I’d attend, as it was four years ago since (think I remembered it right this time) I first met up with the bunch of ‘Galaxy Zooites’, who became instant friends. Except I didn’t just visit this time; I was invited by Ian (Ridpath), for Astronomy Now, to talk about the discovery I made through the online citizen science project. And although I’d planned to show the world how much fun we had, I have actually been asked to write about it all too. So here’s the Astrofest experience through my eyes – and through the eyes of the great photographers who’re kind enough to let me use their pictures.
Stuck at Eindhoven airport with an hour delay and this view, on the Friday evening. © Hanny van Arkel).
Astrofest weekends take place on Fridays and Saturdays, leaving Sundays to comfortably say bye and travel back. As usual, I was still working on Friday though, which meant I had to miss out on that half of the Fest, including the official dinner I was invited to, as one of the speakers. Max (Alexander) made sure I could still see how much fun was had, by taking this picture below – cheers everyone! But even with an hour delay, I did arrive reasonably on time to still have a bite to eat with my friends, who told me they were looking forward to my lecture. Something I thought was very sweet, as they were all there when the story began.
The official Astrofest dinner. © Max Alexander.
Our late dinner, with Gemma, Jules and Tommy looking at desert, especially for Tom’s 34th birthday. © Todd Howard.
Anders and I at the dinner table, after I’d just flown in. © Todd Howard.
I was very excited about all of this, from the very first e-mail I got from Ian months ago. I’ve always been fond of Astrofest and now I’d be even more a part of it! And sure, I’ve been lecturing for a few years now, but… Astrofest! I mean, who’d ever thought I’d be on stage there, when I first attended the happenings those four years ago?! I told Chris (Lintott – founder of the Zoo) right away, and as soon as I could, everyone else as well. I already knew it was going to be another great page in the book of ‘Voorwerp adventures’, sort of speak. And no, I don’t expect I will ever grow up enough to take experiences like this for granted. I have watched some great people from the same audience I’d be looking at from the other side now and that, to me, is still a bit the world upside-down.
My speaker pass (fittingly upside-down)! © Hanny van Arkel.
I had planned to prepare my actual talk sooner than the few weeks before I eventually did, but you know, life is what happens eh. I did very much enjoy going over the notes I had made back in Seattle again and properly looking at the papers I’m actually a co-author on, in order to explain them to all these people (who probably knew a load more about astronomy than I do)! And I’m also very grateful to Bill (Keel – lead author on our Hubble paper, which was ready to see the world right after my return) and to fellow Zooite Tommy, for supporting the preps via Skype. I think I was ready.
The audience from the other side, on the Saturday morning. © Hanny van Arkel.
After having hugged everybody that Friday night, I ended up with Annie-Q, Graham (a.k.a. Inf) and newbee Todd in my hotel, where I gave them a sneak preview of the talk and we – shockingly – found out Annie had never seen the comic book ‘Hanny and the Mystery of the Voorwerp’, where my story is in as well. I don’t think I was nervous, I just wanted to do it well. The next morning I quickly found myself setting up the computer and microphone, together with the lovely Dr. Lucie Green, who’d start the day right before me. Iain (Nicolson), chairing the session we were in, and his lovely wife, showed us the way to the green room, though I had already met up with a few people there in previous years actually.
Anyway, all was set and I’ll show you how it went later. With even more pictures; mostly from the great Max. Speaking of which, here you have him, taking a picture of me, taken by Inf. And with that I’d like to remind you that you can only use these if you kindly ask the photographers as well. Cheers and talk soon.
Max Alexander taking a picture of me, taken by © Graham Bowes.
6 Comments
Great update, Hanny. I was beaming with pride as I watched you on the stage giving a fantastic lecture. it was great to see you, too
x
Good blog
Thanks guys.
Tommy: I have a picture of you in the audience too. Max said that was when you were watching me. 
And John; if you liked this, stay tuned. 
Reliving a great, great weekend! And looking forward to more “unseen footage.”
wonderful pictures Hanny!
Thank you xx