This page has information about my upcoming public talks & shows as well as details of any other live events I’m involved with.

Chasing darkness – adventures of an astrophotographer under starry skies

In this personal talk, Will speaks about his work as an astrophotographer seeking to capture detailed pictures of the night sky’s greatest treasures. Richly illustrated with Will’s celestial photography [examples of which can be seen at willgaterastrophotography.com], the talk explores the wonderous sights that dark skies can reveal to visual observers and astrophotographers. It also highlights how such views are becoming a rarity around the globe, with the ever-increasing scourge of light pollution, and what we can do about preserving these awe-inspiring vistas.

The science and spectacle of the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights have captivated humans for centuries, inspiring countless folklore legends with their shifting, glowing forms and otherworldly behaviour. Yet the story of what actually happens to generate this stunning celestial show is every bit as extraordinary as those great mythic tales. In this talk Will reveals the science behind the magic of the aurora, from the Sun and the violent events that rock its surface to the interplay between our star and the Earth’s magnetic field. He’ll explore the physics of what’s happening in Earth’s upper atmosphere to create this ethereal glow and the colourful, swirling curtains of light as well as show you how you can see them for yourself.

Taking your first steps in nightscape astrophotography

Nightscape imaging is an area of wide-field astrophotography that focuses on shooting celestial targets over landscapes and earthly scenes. Because this technique requires only, relatively, basic camera equipment it can be a great way to start out in imaging the night sky. In this talk, Will will explore the science and art of capturing nightscapes, from what kit you’ll need to how to create the sharpest, most eye-catching, shots. He’ll examine the pitfalls to avoid and highlight the diverse array of astronomical subjects there are for nightscape photography – something that makes this style of imaging enticing for both beginners and experts alike.

Secrets of celestial light

The story of astronomy is the story of our fascination with the light that streams from every corner of the cosmos.

This ancient radiation holds clues to how the Universe works, what it’s made of and how it was born. In this wide-ranging talk, Will explores the physics of celestial light and how we came to realise that, when it comes to the starry night sky, there’s far more than meets the eye.

Alien worlds: the extraordinary inhabitants of the Milky Way

Since the discovery of the first handful of planets around other stars, roughly twenty years ago, we’ve come to realise that our Galaxy is probably teeming with billions of other worlds. Some bear a resemblance to planets in our own Solar System, but a great many are far more bizarre and far more intriguing than scientists ever dared to imagine. In this talk, Will examines the incredible story of how astronomers found these alien planets, what we now know about them and what the future may hold for the hunt for a planet just like the Earth.