Dr. Lucy Rogers’ eyes are frequently focused on the stars at night as she has a real passion for astronomy and was heavily involved with the amateur astronomy community here on the Island. With a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Dr Lucy Rogers runs an engineering consultancy called Space Safety Research Limited, and is setting up a Trade Association for Space Debris to do something about all of that stuff up there that is hurtling in orbit around our earth.
Another related passion of hers is the study of astrophysics, and rockets - a hobby that has become a large part of her life. So much so that Lucy wrote a book, ‘It’s Only Rocket Science,’ to try and make the subject accessible to everyone and she was lucky to have been chosen as an observer and tweeter at the launch of Endeavour at Kennedy Space Centre last year.
“I went to the ‘Tweet-Up’ at the launch of Endeavour and got re-invited out for the launch of Atlantis as the Endeavour launch was cancelled at the last minute. It was amazing!” said Lucy. “I tweeted about it on July 8th 2011 – they had a big marquee for all of us to be in to see the launch. I saw the launch of Atlantis – it was amazing. I felt like I was being slapped round the face by the noise, the exhaust plume was so bright it left an after image on my eyes and the emotion of all around was palpable.” You can read more about her adventure here .
“I learnt a couple of constellations when I was a girl guide and then other stuff got in the way. Then someone asked me if I could work out where I was from the stars. I went on a ten week course for Stargazers about ten years ago and when I moved to the Island in 2005 I had to relearn all the constellations because the sky is so much darker here.”
Lucy was born in Portsmouth but lived on the Island for six years during which time she became very involved with the amateur astronomy community here, launching new initiatives and gatherings and getting a lot of new projects kick started. “I was Chairman of the Vectis Astronomy Society (VAS) for three years. The observatory on the Island is one of the best in the country for an amateur society.
“We discussed getting the Island made a dark sky park and we have helped to encourage good lighting, including security lights that point down. Although we are very dark, there are bright areas too. Sark is a dark sky Island.
“www.galacticwindow.com has an all sky camera from Niton and you can see the night sky live every night. The University of Hertfordshire, who were looking for somewhere to put a robotic telescope, support the site. There’s also a Sky Quality Meter (SQM) on the website that is proving that the Isle of Wight has a high proportion of dark nights.
“I helped to organise the Island’s Star Party. People bring their telescopes to a dark sky area to look at the stars. There were none locally so we thought we have dark skies, ‘let’s do it’. 2007 was our first Star Party and we took over Brighstone Holiday Centre and 25 people came from all over the country. Now it’s a nationally recognised event amongst the astronomical community.
“This is not a public outreach event but if you’re a keen amateur astronomer you will be welcome (contact the organisers first before turning up). The first year we had horrendous weather, but we had one clear night when everyone said, “We must come again.”
“Because we are so far south and we have a low horizon (the sea) we can see stars you wouldn’t see elsewhere. More of Scorpius for example. I saw the whole of Scorpius when I was in America, which was lovely. Confusing, but lovely.
“The Island is a beautiful place and I highly recommend it for visitors. Various holiday accommodations will offer special deals and are aware of astronomers needs. The VAS does various stargazing nights in association with the BBC Stargazing programmes.
“There are a lot of private observatories on the Island and a lot of interesting stuff from Astro Photography to photos of the planets. The best thing to see is the Milky Way – it’s better in the summer. There’s a bright part directly overhead in the summer.
“Imagine you’re in a Catherine Wheel and you’re on the outer edge of it – that’s how we can see it. We’re about two thirds of the way out.
“I was recently back on the Island for the Rocket event up at the Needles New Battery. I brought some space geeks that I met at the Tweet-Up at the Kennedy Space Centre. It was a great event.”
Lucy lists her interests as Astronomy, Rocket Science, Bubbles (fluid dynamics) and Alternative Technologies.
