DEEP sea exploration and a planetarium show will feature in the 2019 Otley Science Festival.

The organisers of the annual event have just confirmed the full line-up of speakers who will be taking part at the Courthouse this year.

The festival runs from Monday, November 11 to Saturday, November 16 and is packed with activities and talks designed to appeal to enquiring minds.

Proceedings will kick off with a Silly Science Toddler Time, for children aged five and under, on the opening day and conclude on November 16 with an all-day Science Fair and closing talk.

In between there will be presentations by the likes of Maddie Moate, whose CBeebies show explores the workings of everyday objects, a screening of Apollo 11 by Otley Film Society and a talk by the Chief Executive of the Institute of Physics, Paul Hardaker.

There will also, as part of a new ‘fringe’ element this year, be a planetarium show held at Otley All Saints Parish Church.

One of the festival’s organisers is Dr Sue Bowler, Editor of the Astronomy & Geophysics (A&G) magazine for the Royal Astronomical Society. She said: “There’s a focus on the younger scientists at this year’s Otley Science festival, with a special talk from Maddie Moate who is well known from CBeebies and famous on YouTube.

“Maddie is bringing her Fantastic Factory Tour to the festival at 5pm on Monday, November 11 and everyone aged three and above is welcome.

“Young scientists and their families are also welcome to the Courthouse earlier that day for our regular Silly Science sessions, taking place this year at 10.30am and 2pm.

“These sessions, organised with help from Otley Children’s Centre, allow those aged five and under to explore a whole world of scientific surprises. They are very popular and, this year, for families only – so please book ahead.

“Older science fans are also welcome: we have Greg Foot plumbing the depths of the oceans, a science lunch exploring black holes, your chance to find out what it takes to be a meteorologist and physicist and, on November 16, James Wong wondering about food.

“We also have the regular science cafe and our free family Science Fair, this year including a free planetarium show at the parish church.”

For more details visit https://otleysciencefestival.co.uk/festival or www.otleycourthouse.org.uk, where tickets can be purchased.