BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — The Starmus Worldwide Competition is a one-stop store for science fanatics around the globe. After every week of inspiring and thought-provoking lectures from a star-studded group of scientists and former astronauts coupled with performances by proficient musicians, Starmus exceeded all expectations.
Starmus combines artwork, music, and science to raise science communication and “interact humanity within the greatest questions of our time,” as stated by the organizers. This yr’s pageant, themed “The way forward for our dwelling planet,” gathered greater than 50 outstanding consultants in local weather change, environmental science, synthetic intelligence, and cybersecurity in Bratislava, Slovakia, for an intensive multi-day occasion from Could 12 to Could 17, 2024.
The star-packed lineup included Nobel Prize winners Michel Mayor, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Kip Thorne, astronauts Charlie Duke, Chris Hadfield, Kathryn Thornton, Garrett Reisman and legendary primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall.
Associated: Stephen Hawking Medal 2024 winners introduced at star-studded Starmus VII pageant
I used to be lucky sufficient to move to Bratislava and expertise the pageant for the primary time. It didn’t disappoint.
The pageant started with an epic reside efficiency from digital music pioneer Jean Michel Jarre that includes legendary Queen guitarist Brian Could. You wanted 360-degree imaginative and prescient to expertise every part the live performance needed to supply fullyFrom futuristic laser mild and drone reveals to wild pyrotechnics and fascinating visible graphics, all paired along with a legendary Jean Michel Jarre soundtrack.
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The next day Jane Goodall inaugurated the pageant with an emotional speech about our lovely blue planet and the preciousness of life. She careworn the significance of hope whereas additionally calling for motion to mitigate the irreversible harm we’re inflicting.
Goodall was adopted by world-renowned scientists, researchers and former astronauts, every bringing their distinctive views and insights on the little blue marble we name dwelling.
I used to be deeply impressed by the world-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle and her presentation on our huge oceans and the life dwelling within the deep. Over her 50-year profession, Earle has spent hundreds of hours underwater and revealed over 100 scientific papers. Notably, she was the primary lady to function chief scientist on the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Her dedication to the oceans and her capacity to convey their marvels is actually commendable. Earle illustrated the wonders of the oceans and emphasised how a lot we nonetheless must find out about among the deepest components of our personal planet.
Whereas earlier incarnations of the pageant focussed on looking to the worlds past ours, this yr’s Starmus was distinctive in that its major focus was planet Earth. However as Earle rightly identified “Earth is a part of area, it simply occurs to be right here.”
On Day 3 of the pageant, I used to be delighted to observe Earle obtain the Stephen Hawking Medal of Science Communication alongside three different recipients, artist Laurie Anderson, Filmmaker Christopher Nolan and presenter and writer Sir David Attenborough at an award ceremony that night. The Stephen Hawking medal is awarded to people and groups who’ve made vital contributions to science communication throughout 4 classes: Music & Arts, Science Writing, Movies & Leisure, and Lifetime Achievement.
Hosted by comic and author Robin Ince, the Stephen Hawking Medal Ceremony additionally featured performances from Tony Hadley former lead singer of Spandau Ballet, keyboardist and composer Rick Wakeman and astrophysicist and former Queen guitarist Brian Could to call however a number of. The night time was topped off by an brisk and entertaining set from the enduring punk-rock band The Offspring.
On the mid-way level of the Starmus Earth pageant, an epic ‘star celebration’ was held throughout the towering ruins of Devin Fortress. That night time visitors mingled amongst beautiful meals, music and naturally, telescopes!
From our nearest neighbor, the moon, to beautiful nebulas and galaxies 11 million light-years away, we may discover the cosmos excessive on a hill within the lovely Slovakian countryside. My favourite remark goal was M57, often known as the Ring Nebula. A colourful jewel within the night time sky, the ring nebula dazzled with delicate blues, oranges and reds.
The main focus of the second half of the week shifted extra from environmental and Earth science to the way forward for AI and area exploration.
Former Canadian House Company astronaut Chris Hadfield introduced an enlightening presentation on area junk and the way we try to unravel the particles drawback, and was later adopted by former NASA astronaut Garrett Wiseman who spoke about SpaceX and the strides it’s taking in human spaceflight, with sights firmly set on the moon after which to Mars.
Astrophysicist Martin Rees took a distinct view from Wiseman, presenting his speak “Put up-human Intelligence — A Cosmic Perspective” by way of a video hyperlink. Rees emphasised the significance of leaving human spaceflight to adrenaline-seeking non-public astronauts and utilizing authorities organizations akin to NASA and ESA to focus solely on robotic exploration.
Final however not least we have been taken on a journey by means of time with physicist Brian Greene, who used fascinating graphics and visible imagery to move us by means of the cosmos and into the distant future in his speak titled “Till the Finish of Time”.
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Alongside the primary pageant, the Starmus Camp and Metropolis Program introduced science and music to the streets, that includes morning talks, displays, and screenings within the coronary heart of Bratislava at Hlavné námestie, town’s primary sq.. The occasion included twelve cubicles with science exhibitions, in addition to displays, panel discussions, and a music program, all accessible to most people free of charge.
Editor’s Be aware: This text was made doable by transport and lodging organized by Starmus, who invited House.com to attend the pageant.
