Speaker profile
Mr Chris W Followell
BSc Hons, Dip, RCIM
Available for booking
Nailsea, Somerset, England
160 miles travel distance
Amateur Astronomer
Science Communicator
Science Educator
Summary
Retired engineer, marketing manager and Teacher (Physics & Maths).
Full biography
I am a retired teacher of Physics and maths. Prior to that, I was a marketing manager for some American Silicon chip manufacturers, and I was an electronics engineer at Texas Instruments. I have been interested in Astronomy since I was at school. I had the Larousse Encyclopaedia of Astronomy as a school prize in my third year (now year 10) I met Sir Patrick Moore at a lecture given by Arthur C Clarke. I shook hands with Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock at the Bristol Beacon (Colston Hall) 5 years ago at a GCSE Seminar. I now run two U3A Astronomy groups in the West Country and volunteer at the Bristol Planetarium. I also assist with star gazing evenings with the local YACWAG group supporting local teenagers. I am now a 'Slooh Ambassador' representing SLOOH in the UK. Slooh provides access to online robotic telescopes in three locations (Chile, Tenerife and Australia).
I give two talks a month for the U3A, and I will be making some available on YouTube.
I have a BSc Honours degree in Electronic Engineering, a Diploma in Telecommunications, a Marketing degree from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and online certificates from Udacity for Physics and the Open University for Astronomy.
My interests cover all aspects of Astronomy, from its history of discovery to the intricacies of particle physics and quantum physics. Through my connection with Slooh, I have also made detailed studies of our constellations, not just our 88, but also those of other cultures as well.
Stargazing sessions
Mr Chris W Followell can host stargazing sessions including guided tours of the night skies and observing using telescopes or binoculars.
Affiliations
Lectures
Using Remote Robotic telescopes for Stargazing
A talk explaing hw to stargaze from your laptop if it is raining outside. Observing from various parts of the world, working out what is visible and requesting remote observations.
Space updates
Monthly talks that I give to the U3A in Nailsea, Portishead and once to Northern Ireland U3A via Zoom. Featuring details behind NASA's picture of the Day/ Month. Updates on Rocket news - Space X, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, NASA. Updates on Space probes, Voyager, JWST, JUICE WHat Planets are visible this week. Advace notice of Astronomical events.
Workshops
Stargazing walk
Walk with the youth at YACWAG - Congresbury - stargazing and Bat walk.
Grieve well
Grieve well - a nature walk looking for Bats and stars while remembering loved ones.
