A project to help people take up astronomy - including those afraid of the dark - is one of a number of proposals from groups hoping to get a slice of a £1 million science grant.
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) hosted an evening at the National Space Centre, last Thursday, and invited local organisations along to think of innovative ways to spread science into the community.
Groups including the National Youth Agency, based in Humberstone Road, Leicester, and Leicester Secular Society, met with academics from a number of university's to discuss ways to reach out to the public.
They will then bid for a cut of the £1 million, when the scheme officially opens on December 1, to put those ideas into action.
Sheila Kanani, education outreach and diversity officer for the RAS, said: 'We want to encourage unique ideas - things that have never been done before.
'For example, the National Autistic Society is trying to make the way astronomy is delivered more suitable for people with autism.
'So one of the ideas was to make it more accessible for people who are scared of the dark. But the money can be used for setting up any kind of project which helps people.
'It can be for those with mobility issues, or for kids in care, or for people who come from deprived social and economic backgrounds.
'We've had luck reaching those who are already interesting science, astronomy and physics - so this scheme is about getting to those who haven't had the opportunity to take up an interest.'
The event was part of a wider national scheme called RAS200, which is run by the society, which celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2020.
Its president and University of Leicester academic Professor Martin Barstow said: 'Astronomy is one of the best ways of engaging students and the public with science.
'We all experience the night sky and stunning images from ground and space-based telescopes have revealed many secrets of the Universe.
'However, there remain groups that still don't get the chance to benefit from this engagement. The RAS200 project is specifically aimed at reaching out to these groups to leave a lasting legacy of improved educational opportunities.'
Other ideas included converting a double-decker into a mobile observatory, 'gorilla astronomy' events - where groups would turn up unannounced at events, such as festivals and football matches, and offer telescopes to the public.
Leicester Secular Society president Gush Bhumbra said: 'Many of the ideas at the meeting look interesting. My own thoughts are we should be especially reaching out to the adults who missed out on the wonders of astronomy at school for whatever reason.'
Jon Boagey, of the National Youth Agency, said: 'It was an opportunity to find out more and meet potential partners. We're interested in several ideas which we're testing.'
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