A STAR-TASTIC line up of astronomy and climate science luminaries have charted a course to Penrhyn Bay to help engage the next generation of astronauts.

BBC’s Sky at Night presenter Dallas Campbell and London based Climate Scientist, Dr Tamsin Edwards headed to Penrhyn New Hall for a series of ‘Space is the Place’ workshops aimed at North Wales school children seeking careers in space exploration and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The pair’s first visit to North Wales was organised by Penrhyn Bay teen Amelia Piper 17, CEO and founder of MajorTim.Space.

Miss Piper, who was home schooled, said “Because this is a first for North Wales, having Dallas Campbell and Dr Tamsin Edwards in the area - it has attracted much interest from high-profile companies including the UK Space Agency.

“All attendees had a fantastic time, I couldn’t be happier with the feedback from children and parents, which has been tremendous.

“It was lovely that the participants kept asking us to make Space is the Place a weekly occurrence. It is incredibly important that we inspire the next generation to reach for the stars.”

Sophie Evans, aged eight, said: “I really enjoyed the day, it was so much fun and I can’t wait for the next one.”

Named in honour of Major Tim Peake, the European Space Agency astronaut and a former International Space Station crew member whom Amelia has met on several occasions, the company was founded by Miss Piper in 2016 and has secured a patron in Al Worden, the command module pilot for NASA’s Apollo 15 lunar mission in 1971.

This year’s event follows the success of 2018’s Space Week workshops, which featured a guest appearance via webcast BBC’s Astronauts: Do You Have What it Takes? contestant Dr Jackie Bell.

Mr Campbell - who also presents BBC’s he Gadget Show and Bang Goes the Theory - brought along a replica of Neil Armstrong’s Iconic A7L Apollo Spacesuit, and also held an origami competition with the children to represent how astronauts for space missions in spaceflight history had to practise the paper folding art.

The winner was eight year old, Catrin Moore who received the prize - an actual copy of a NASA astronaut application form. Max Syson, aged 11, came second and won a family day ticket to Techniquest Glyndwr while Adam Evans, nine, won an astronaut magnet note board for coming third.

The participants also took part in a range of experiments and activities led by Miss Piper, including chemistry, tardigrade exploration, the Institution of Engineers (ICE) suspension bridge activity, pinhole cameras, space quiz and much more.

All participants were entered into a raffle to win a Sky-Watcher Heritage-76 “International Year of Astronomy” and 400th Anniversary of Galileo’s first telescope, which was won by 10 year old Oscar Barker.

Mr Barker said “I really enjoyed the science day and I was very excited to win my own telescope. I hope I can get a good look at the Moon next time there is a Full Moon and maybe spot some of the planets too.”