Science has arrived in Garching
RIGHT. It’s time to crack out the camera and do some BLOGGING. Today science centres in the metropolis of Garching (near Munich) are opening their doors to the public. Sounds like the ideal event to run around taking pictures of and then hastily upload them with glib captions, jaaaa?Phase one: ESO. Actually, phase one: coffee. Although I don’t drink that stuff. Never mind, I’ll take a picture of Pedro and Mariana instead. We are the staffs!
Picture alignment FAIL:
The ESO folks were busy getting ready for the opening doors part of the Open Doors day. Aww, they all have matching blue jumpers. They just need blue facepaint too, then they’ll be science Smurfs.
A lot of people crammed into the entrance, waiting to be let in. Maybe they’ve heard rumours that Belgian waffles are going to be available in the cafeteria later…
Other science institutions neaby are open too. Shall we go for a wander?
I came for the Raumfahrt but stayed for the Astronomie.
Baader Planetarium are here, hip-hip hooray! Looks like Pedro and Michael from Baader are having a FACE OFF:
It’s ok. They’re best buddies really. I’m going to be nice about the Baader gang because they were very complimentary about this LiveBlog. And this. They assured me that people do read it. Yay!
Telescope: CHECK
Tripod: CHECK
Solar filter: CHECK
Safety screen: CHECK
The Sun: CH—oh. Um, MAYBE LATER.
Pedro gets in front of the camera again. Any excuse. He’s just in this IYA2009 malarkey for the fame, you know.
Hmm, need a better vantage point. How about on top of the U-Bahn roof-type-thing?
Yes, that. Looks like a perilous journey up. But this interpid LiveBlogger laughs in the face of danger. Ho ho ho!
I made it up, despite my trendy shoes having inadequate grip. Alas, a safety barrier (and big bit of concrete) got in the way.
Cunning plan: hold camera over head and take lots of photos.
FAIL.
FAIL.
FAIL.
“A” for effort, “F” for attainment. Just like my old school reports 
But never mind, EurAstro are here!
Hopefully I’ll bump into them again later. The Baader folks set up lots of telescopes, and were helping people to use them.
They’re playing “spot the LiveBlogger”. You don’t need a telescope, I’m RIGHT HERE.
It’s Barbara Wankerl, from Universe Cluster. She’s muscling in on Pedro’s gig by getting an interview. He won’t be happy!
Post-interview, Barbara guided Mariana and I to her activities. First up was a very inventive way of talking about black holes. A camera was set up to a laptop, and any image taken would be processed to have the light curved, as if a black hole were present. I was a bit stumped by the question “do you want to be recognisable by the black hole?” Umm… I guess?
Andreas Mueller was in charge of this and took my picture. Mariana took a picture of Andreas taking my picture. Or something.
Extra points for tethered shooting, which I’ve never been able to get to work properly.
And the end result. I look like a deformed chipmunk. Damn you, immense gravitational pull of black holes! Time for a firm handshake to seal the deal.
Your turn, Mariana. Gizza camera back. Cheers.
No need to smile, Mariana – you’ll be unrecognisable. Gravity, she be a harsh mistress.
Danke schoen, Andreas!
Just down the corridor was a room dedicated to explaining particle collisions. They had a HUGE COOL TV. Me wants!
Here’s Andreas Moll, who did the talking and things. Looks like you have to be called Andreas to work there. Mariana explained that we are from the Cosmic Diary. We were met with a blank expression that said it all.
3D panda!
Let’s rush back to ESO, there’s a talk soon. I ran into Douglas and Ed, working hard. OR SO THEY’D HAVE US BELIEVE.
Quick, ESO’s Bruno Leibundgut is starting a talk.
Darn, it’s in German. But the videos looks great.
Trademark shot:
Right, best run back and edit these pics at pace then write this blog.
Behold, the door to LiveBlog HQ. The red tape should be a permanent feature.
Stay tuned for the next part, which will include: WAFFLES! FACE PAINTING! And PUTTING A POSTER UP!
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LiveBlog Navigation-a-Tron 5000
06 Nov: Well that’s that, then
06 Nov: The Bangalore Astronomical Society are this –> ACE
06 Nov: He called me Leo again
01 Nov: Hooray for Mrs. Tykoski
01 Nov: Two events for the price of one
01 Nov: Galileo-tastic
01 Nov: And relaaaaax
26 Oct: Hi ho! Hi ho! It’s off to the Presidential Observatory we go!
25 Oct: Science stayed in Garching a bit longer
24 Oct: Science has arrived in Garching <– You just got through it.
23 Oct: Remote astronomy: quite possibly the best idea ever
23 Oct: EurAstro: the society that never disappoints
23 Oct: Bucharest gets ready for a cup of hot tea and a journey to Jupiter
22 Oct: Astronomy on a budget
22 Oct: Onward, to Pune
22 Oct: The press release is out
22 Oct: Portugal: another possible holiday location
22 Oct: Stargazing at Blackrock Castle Observatory, Cork
22 Oct: Debra got a message through
22 Oct: Galilean Nights says THANKS to Alexander Prokofiev…
22 Oct: The Solar System, Scottish style
22 Oct: Delicious, delicious astronomy
20 Oct: Munich weather forecast
20 Oct: Mystery event
20 Oct: New Zealanders look UP
20 Oct: We’re not in Kansas anymore. Except we are.
19 Oct: It’s getting more exotic!
18 Oct: When gas-well drillers and astronomy collide
15 Oct: Just when you thought you were safe…
Confused? You should be. Go to the Galilean Nights website and see what the fuss is all about.
