What do aliens look like? What’s the worst holiday destination in the Universe? And could there be another Earth out there?
Join astronomer and author Matt Bothwell as we hunt for signs of life across the Galaxy. We’ll search for planets in other Solar Systems, and learn about all the weird and wonderful ways scientists think we (might) be able to travel around the Universe. We’ll take a trip across the frozen seas of Jupiter’s moons, to planets made of lava in the deepest depths of space. We might even try to answer the biggest question of all… are we alone in the Universe?
Matt's latest book 'Astrophysics for Supervillains 2: The Great Alien Hunt' will be available for purchase and signing after the talk.
Event type
This is a theatre event for children and adults to enjoy together. All young people under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by an adult.
About Matt Bothwell
Matt Bothwell is the public astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge. He currently runs the university’s astronomy public engagement programe. He visits more than 100 schools and libraries every year to talk about space and runs astronomy evenings for thousands of brownies, guides, cubs, and scouts. During the 2020 lockdowns, he presented a series of interactive astronomy lectures for children on YouTube.
He is the author of three popular astronomy books for adults and children: The Great Alien Hunt (2025, DK), Astrophysics for Supervillains (2024, DK), and The Invisible Universe: Why There’s More to Reality than Meets the Eye (2021, Oneworld).
This event is presented as part of the Chelmsford Science Festival.
[DR 28.09.25]
