Geared to the Stars - Victorian Astronomy through the Magic Lantern

Lectures on astronomy were a common form of popular entertainment in the nineteenth century. With an original Victorian magic lantern projector and delicate, hand painted glass slides from the 1840's, Mark Butterworth recreates one of these illustrated lectures. Using complex and intricate mechanical "rackwork" slides to illustrate astronomical concepts, it gives an introduction to mid-19th century astronomy.

Mark Butterworth researches astronomical history and specialises in understanding how popular astronomy was presented to the general public in the 18th and 19th century. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. www.markbutterworth.co.uk

Venue: Held at The Old Cinema, University of Westminster 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2UW
Time: Commencing 7pm sharp
Cost: Admission free - As this series of talks is entirely free it is advisable to come early. Tickets will be issued from 6pm

Further information can be found at:
http://www.magiclantern.org.uk/polytechnic.html