Aerobility lights up with Armchair Aurora

‘Spring Watch meets the Sky at Night’ is the intriguing description of an event coming up from Aerobility, the flying charity for disabled people.

The hour-long event is Armchair Aurora and its being hosted by impressionist Jon Culshaw at 18:00 on Saturday, 13 March.

The free to attend event will livestream via armchairaurora.com and will bring together spectacular Aurora footage, interviews and Q&A with scientists, plus insights on polar aviation and the workings of the Aurora, all beamed to living rooms around the UK and worldwide.

“This event is just one example of how we continue to support the disabled community and continue to inspire ability through aviation during lockdown, while aircraft are grounded,” said Aerobility CEO, Mike Miller-Smith.

“If I were to describe what it will be like, I would say, think ‘Spring Watch meets the Sky at Night’.”

Expert speakers will include:

• Pete Lawrence, the British amateur astronomer best known for his popularisation of astronomy on the BBC’s The Sky at Night with Sir Patrick Moore
• Nigel Meredith: Space Weather Scientist, British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
• Rod Arnold: Head of Air Unit, BAS.

Viewers will be invited to submit questions to the experts during the event. To round off the evening, the event will conclude with a ‘Sounds of Space’ music extravaganza, delivering “30 minutes of tranquillity and beauty to viewers, with aurora footage accompanied by appropriately ambient music”.

Mike Miller-Smith added, “Building on our annual fundraising event ‘Aurora’ which sees Aerobility fly to the northern-most part of the UK, Armchair Aurora is part of our response to the impact of Covid-19.

“Our hope is that the aviation industry, which has been fantastic in its support of disabled flying, along with others, will find a way to step forward again to sponsor and support the event, so that we can continue to provide disabled flying when we come out of lockdown.

“We will also encourage donations during the event, whilst anyone wishing to support us now can do so via www.aerobility.com/donate.”

Jon Culshaw asaid, “Armchair Aurora, promises to be an escape from lockdown for anybody of any age. I encourage everyone to join us for this fascinating event. As an astronomy enthusiast, I for one can’t wait!”

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact [email protected] for more details or visit www.aerobility.com/armchairaurora