South Downs Planetarium Chichester

Dr John Mason MBE

An Applied Physicist by profession, Dr John Mason has been actively involved in astronomy and space science for almost 50 years. He is a past President of the British Astronomical Association, a full member of the International Astronomical Union and is currently Education Officer and Principal Lecturer at the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester. He lectures extensively in the UK and overseas on a wide range of scientific topics with a reputation as a passionate communicator of science. He has led many expeditions overseas to observe the Northern Lights, total solar eclipses and meteor showers. He is a frequent broadcaster on radio and television.

Graham Bryant FRAS

Graham has been involved in astronomy for the past 50 years and is currently a Trustee of the South Downs Planetarium.

Graham has been a supporter of the Planetarium for many years and has become more deeply involved since retiring from the Health Service in 2012.

He teaches the Astronomy for Beginner’s course at a nearby observatory of which he is also the Chairman.

Graham has for many years given talks to numerous outside organisations on astronomy and space flight. More recently, Graham has been an Aurora/Astronomy tour guide, leading a number of trips to Iceland and Norway.

Andrew Copping

Andrew has been interested in astronomy since his school days when he was an active member of the South Downs Astronomical Society, based in Chichester. For the past six years he has been the General Manager at the South Downs Planetarium carrying out the day-to-day running and administration of the facility. He recently completed a GCSE in Astronomy and has been heavily involved in the commissioning and operation of the Planetarium’s new full dome projection system. He regularly gives presentations for schools and youth groups and is a keen advocate of teaching science through the awe and wonder of astronomy and space exploration.