Calendar

You can find Shine at the following events:

25 October — Shine at the Opera: J. Eccles’ The Judgment of Paris
Byre Theatre, St Andrews, 17:30 – 18:45

The Shine team is very excited to present their very first opera production in collaboration with Byre Opera and St Andrews Voices 2018, for which we are a fringe event! What do stars and goddesses have in common? Find out at this fascinating baroque opera by British composer John Eccles, as shepherd Paris needs to make the toughest decision of his life, granting either Pallas Minerva, Juno or Venus a much desired golden apple. With students and staff of the St Andrews Music Centre under direction of Jane Pettegree, and a light installation by Shine artist Tim Fitzpatrick. Tickets are free, and can be reserved on-line here.

Past Shine Events 2018

29 September — Explorathon 2018
Dundee Science Centre, 10:00 – 17:00

The Shine crew is present again at Explorathon, this time at Dundee Science Centre. Join us for two new activities: contribute to our Hubble Tuning Fork and put galaxies in their right place at our SDSS plate display!
May/June — Shine: Code for Everything III
MUSA, 7 the Scores, St Andrews, normal opening hours

Shine artist Tim Fitzpatrick has developed a completely new selection of light and spectra inspired artworks. See if you can spot them all, sprinkled throughout MUSA’s permanent collection! For MUSA opening hours, see here.
26 May — Science Adventure Glenrothes
The Lomond Centre, Glenrothes, 11:00 – 16:00

Grab one of our spectroscopic glasses and see the different colours of emission line spectra for yourself! Free drop-in event in Glenrothes, see here for more information.
2 June — Science Adventure Cowdenbeath
Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre, Cowdenbeath, 11:00 – 16:00

Join us for more science adventures as we move from Glenrothes to Cowdenbeath, see here for more details.
5 May — Sounding out Astronomy concert
MUSA, 7 the Scores, St Andrews, 14:30 – 15:30

Join us at MUSA on Saturday 5 May to hear what happens when 6 MMus Composition students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland team up with 6 MSc Astrophysics students from the University of St Andrews. The New Music Ensemble will be performing the resulting music pieces during this short concert, and the students will introduce the pieces themselves and talk about how the astronomy and the music meet.
27 March — NMSU Colloquium by Tim Fitzpatrick: Shine: Code for Everything
New Mexico State University (NMSU), Center for the Arts 209, 15:00 – 16:00

To conclude this trip to Apache Point Observatory, Tim will be presenting his work at New Mexico State University, for abstract and more details, see here.
7 February — Tim Fitzpatrick Artist Talk: Making Connections
St Andrews Museum, Kinburn Park, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, 14:00 – 15:00

Tim Fitzpatrick will be giving an artist talk as part of the events connected to Kate Scardifield’s exhibition Ley Lines in St Andrews Museum, about his collaboration with astronomer Anne-Marie Weijmans for Shine. He will talk about the subsequent connections to a wider community of scientists and how that has led to new directions in his work and his appointment as artist in residence for the Sloan Digital Sky Survey based at the Apache Point Telescope in New Mexico, USA.

The talk is free, but space is limited, so if you want to hear what Tim has to say, then please book your place through Fife Contemporary.

27 January — Stargazing 2018
Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford, 14:00 – 21:00

Shine is heading south! We’ll be in Oxford for their annual star gazing event on Saturday 27 January 2018. There will be lots of astronomy things to do, both during the day and in the evening, when weather permitting you will be able to gaze through the University’s telescopes! But do have a good look when you step outside for a moment, and spot the new work of artist Tim Fitzpatrick along the Denys Wilksinson Building on Keble Road!

Past Shine Events 2017

29 September — Explorathon 2017
Byre Theatre, St Andrews, 17:00 – 22:00

We’ll be at the science fair in the Byre Theatre in St Andrews, as part of Explorathon 2017. Come and have a look at a new version of our art installation, and talk with astronomers about light, spectra, and what they tell us about the stars!
12 August — Meet the Expert
Dundee Science Centre, Dundee, 10:00 – 16:00

We’re back in Scotland again after our international adventures! Our art installation will be on display in the Dundee Science Centre as part of Meet the Expert day, and we’re still plotting for a few additional activities. Come back later for more detail!
24 – 26 July — SDSS-IV Collaboration Meeting
Campus San Joaquin of Universidad Catolica, Santiago, Chile

Shine will stay in Chile a bit longer, to attend the collaboration meeting of the fourth generation of Sloan Digitial Sky Survey (SDSS-IV). Tim Fitzpatrick will be attending as artist-in-residence and give an overview talk, and Anne-Marie Weijmans will talk about working with SDSS data in her role as SDSS-IV data release coordinator.
22 – 23 July — Sharing One Sky
Campus San Joaquin of Universidad Catolica, Santiago, Chile

Shine goes international! Astronomer Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans from the School of Physics and Astronomy and artist Tim Fitzpatrick of the The Red Field will talk about Shine at this education and public outreach conference, for an audience of astronomers, teachers and public engagement officers.
2 – 6 July — National Astronomy Meeting 2017
Middleton Hall, University of Hull, 9:00 – 16:00 daily

The artwork that artist Tim Fitzpatrick of the The Red Field developed for Shine is on tour, and its first stop is in Hull, as part of the exhibition during the National Astronomy Meeting. Both Tim and astronomer Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans from the School of Physics and Astronomy will be attending this meeting, and you can find them in the vicinity of the artwork. Do come and talk to them, and/or fill in a feedback card with your thoughts on light, art and spectra, and create your own artwork!Note that on Monday 2 July, there will be a public talk by Professor Chris Lintott about galaxies and GalaxyZoo. This talk starts at 19:30 (doors open at 19:00) and is free for everyone to attend, but you are asked to register here.

Past Shine Events 2015

27 November — Public Talk: Planets and Pulsations
Lecture Theatre, Medical Science Building, North Haugh, St Andrews, 17:30

Astronomer Professor Don Kurtz of the University of Central Lancashire will be visiting us to give a public lecture on ‘Planets and Pulsations: The New Keplerian Revolution’. He will introduce the Kepler Space Mission that is hunting for new discoveries of planets around stars other than our Sun, and he will talk about how stars can make music through asteroseismology. This public talk is suitable for all ages, and please join us afterwards for a drink reception to meet Don and ask him all the questions that you have on stellar music!
26 November — Anstruther Science Café
Dreel Tavern, 16 High Street West, Anstruther, 19:30

Astronomer Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans from the School of Physics and Astronomy, and artist Tim Fitzpatrick of The Red Field will lead a discussion on galaxy spectra, and their use in both scientific research into the formation and evolution of galaxies, and their use in art. Join us in the Dreel Tavern in Anstruther for some science and art, and of course a drink! Part of the Anstruther Science Café series.
7 – 26 November — Shine Art Installation
Byre Theatre, South Street, St Andrews, during opening hours

Artist Tim Fitzpatrick of The Red Field designed a visual art installation for Shine, that showcases galaxy spectra and a rare MaNGA observing plate. If you did not have a chance to see this colourful work of art during our Shine Event on November 7, then don’t despair: the artwork will be on display in the Byre Theatre until November 26. Just make your way to the 4th floor of the Theatre!
7 November — Shine: a celebration of the International Year of Light
Byre Theatre, South Street, St Andrews, 10:00 – 16:00

Come to the Byre this Saturday for a day full of science, music and art. We have science demos ready for you to explore in the foyer, and offer planetarium shows in the loft. The New Music Ensemble will give two concerts, featuring music inspired by astronomy and light, including new music piece commissioned by Shine. Tim Fitzpatrick of The Red Field will show his vision on the International Year through his artwork. And the café will be open for tea, snacks and lunch.
7 November — Open Night at the Observatory
University Observatory, St Andrews, 18:00 – 21:00

Not tired yet of light after visiting Shine in the Byre? Then join us at the Observatory, for a night of star gazing (weather permitting), talks and more music!
31 October — Make your own emission line spectrum!
Erskine Hall, Lady Walk, Anstruther, 18:00 – 19:30

On Halloween’s evening, join Red Field artist Time Fitzpatrick in Erskine Hall for experiments with emission line spectra. And grab the opportunity to make some spectra yourself!
25 September — Explorathon 2015
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, 12:00 – 15:00
Medical School Building, North Haugh, St Andrews, 19:00 – late!

The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is hosting a myriad of science demos and activities throughout the day, and of course we’ll be there too with our favorite Shine displays! And in the evening, we’re moving back to St Andrews for a night full of Research Live! Join us on our cosmic keyboard, compose your own music with pulsars and try to hear the faint echos of the Big Bang!
19 September — Bang Goes The Borders
St Mary’s School, Abbey Park, Melrose, 10:00 – 16:00

Bang Goes The Borders is a free science festival for the whole family, that is now begin organised for its fifth year in a row! There are lots of interesting demos and activities going on, and our very own Dr Rita Tojeiro will be in the Blue Zone with our cosmic keyboard. The event also has a Facebook page, where they put the latest updates on the program. If you have no plans yet for this Saturday, then go to St Mary’s School in Melrose and enjoy a day full of fun and science!
6 September — Doors Open Day at the Murray Studios
Murray Studios, 21 Cunzie Street, Anstruther, 14:00 – 17:00

Tim Fitzpatrick of The Red Field will open the doors of his studio, to show his work for an art installation that will illustrate the connection between light and sound for Shine. Talk to Kirstin Hay of the School of Physics and Astronomy about the expanding Universe and step onto our cosmic keyboard to see what effect this expansion has on galaxies. And come and see a real piece of astronomy observing equipment: we have a MaNGA galaxy survey plate for you to look at, and MaNGA lead observer Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans will be there to tell you all about the latest in galaxy observations.
1 – 31 July — Summer in St Andrews
Byre Theatre, South Street, St Andrews, opening hours

Why are the summer days in Scotland so long, and the winter days so short? What happens during solstice? Come to the Byre Theatre to find out at our Shine display.
18 April — Open Day Murray Studios with the Red Field
Murray Studios, 21 Cunzie Street, Anstruther, 14:00 – 18:00

Tim Fitzpatrick of The Red Field art collaboration will present his current projects in his studio in Anstruther, including his contributions to Shine. Talk to Tim about his vision on Shine, and talk to Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans of the School of Physics and Astronomy about light and astronomy while you compose your own pulsar symphony. There will be live music too, starting around 15:30. Come visit us, and go for some famous Fish and Chips in Anstruther afterwards!
28 March — Pre-Concert talk at the Dundee Symphony Orchestra
Caird Hall, Dundee, 18:45

Join Prof. Andrew Cameron of the School of Physics and Astronomy for a pre-concert lecture on Holsts planets, and stay for a performance of this magnificent piece of music by the Dundee Symphony Orchestra.
20 March — Solar Eclipse viewing
School of Physics and Astronomy, North Haugh, St Andrews, 8:30 – 10:00 (approx)

A spectacular partial eclipse will take place in the morning of 20 March, with more than 95% of the solar surface being covered by the moon! Be safe: never look directly at the Sun (not even during the eclipse when it is partially covered!) but use eclipse glasses or project the solar surface with a pinhole camera. Or come and see us in front of the School of Physics and Astronomy, where we will be stand-by with solar telescopes.
14 March — Women in Science Day
Dundee Science Centre, Dundee, 10:00 – 17:00

Meet astronomersDr. Rita Tojeiro and Dr. Anne-Marie Weijmans of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the Dundee Science Centre. Do you want to unravel the light of stars and galaxies? And do you want compose your own pulsar symphony? Then drop by our stand!
7 March — Open Night with Music at the Observatory
University Observatory, St Andrews, 18:00 – 21:00

Come along for a night of star gazing (weather permitting), a tour of the telescopes at our Observatory, and music with the St Andrews Brass Quintet, performing astronomy inspired music by Scottish composer Eddie McGuire.
23 February — International Year of Light Launch Event
22-26 George Street, Edinburgh, 17:00 – 20:00

We will be present at the official launch of the International Year of Light in Scotland, at the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Come look for us in the Scott Room on the first floor, and don’t miss Bede Williams’ trumpet solo ‘The Big Bang’ at 17:20