On 25 May 2023, a group of 20 artists from across County Durham were invited to a special session at Durham University’s Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics, to hold collaborative discussions with astrophysicists about the embryonic new initiative – Street Cosmos. Hosted by the University’s Science Outreach team and East Durham Creates.
The artists were given a guided tour of the two telescope domes on the roof
They saw a special 3D movie about the origins of the universe, explored galaxies with VR, and created their own universes using a ‘universe simulator’.
Through facilitated conversations, the artists and scientists began developing ideas for interactive workshops that would make up ‘Space Day: Blackhall’ – a fun-filled, cosmology-themed family knowledge festival taking place at Blackhall Community Centre in August 2023.
Street Cosmos builds on the Street Museum model – and is the brain child of Alison Paterson, the manager of Blackhall Community Centre. The Ogden Centre were wonderful hosts, and the artists were joined by Prof David Alexander, Director in the Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy, and Professor Alastair Edge, who earlier in 2023 contributed to the discovery of the first ultramassive blackhole.
