Lunar Gazing: The History of Human Connection to the Moon. Talk at the NLO Family Fun Day by Carolyn Kennet.
From ancient stone circles to the surface of the Moon itself, humanity’s relationship with our nearest celestial neighbour is rich, complex, and ever-evolving. In this illustrated talk, Carolyn Kennett traces the long arc of lunar fascination, exploring how people in Britain and beyond have observed, interpreted, and been inspired by the Moon across millennia. Beginning in prehistory, Carolyn examines the role the Moon played in early calendars, rituals, and monument alignments, particularly within the landscapes of the British Isles. The talk moves through medieval cosmologies, the astronomical breakthroughs of the Enlightenment, and the shifting cultural meanings of the Moon in art and folklore. It culminates in the drama of the 20th-century space race and our fantastical relationship with the Moon, revealing how ancient dreams of lunar travel became reality. Drawing on historical records, archaeology, sky lore, and space science, Lunar Gazing invites the audience to reflect on how one celestial body has profoundly shaped our understanding of time, nature, and ourselves.
Carolyn Kennett is a writer, researcher, and astronomer based in the southwest of the UK. She is Chair of the Society for the History of Astronomy and a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, passionate about uncovering humanity’s long relationship with the night sky. Her work bridges astronomy, archaeology, and cultural heritage, particularly through her business Archaeoastronomy Cornwall, where she leads guided walks, educational workshops, and public engagement events around ancient astronomical sites. She is also a director of Mayes Creative, which delivers creative outreach projects that explore science and place.
As an author, Carolyn has contributed to a number of significant publications. She wrote Sites of Prehistoric Bodmin Moor (2022) and Celestial Stone Circles of West Cornwall (2018) and was editor and contributor to Neptune: From Grand Discovery to a World Revealed. Her most recent solo work, Uranus and Neptune (Reaktion Books, 2022), explores the discovery and evolving understanding of the solar system’s ice giants. In addition to these, she was a contributing author to Dorling Kindersley’s beautifully illustrated reference books Moon (2025) and Cosmos (2024), helping bring the science and cultural stories of the universe to a wider audience. Across all her work, Carolyn combines academic insight with a clear enthusiasm for making the cosmos accessible and engaging.
www.archaeoastronomycornwall.com
This talk will take place during the Family Fun Day for which a £10 per adult entry charge applies. Children 0-17 go free.