The Cosmic Frequencies Festival returns to Hexham - A celebration of space science, UFOs + music in the dark skies capital of the UK.

Please note each talk is externally ticketed - follow links below to book your seats.

11.00 – 12.00: What is the Universe made of?

Join Durham University Professors Carlos Frenk and Philip Goff as they share different perspectives on the nature of the Universe. Carlos, a world renowned particle physicist and cosmologist, will provide an overview of current astronomical views about the origin and make-up of the Universe, what we still don’t know, and the implications of dark matter for life elsewhere. Philip is a philosopher who researches how consciousness fits in with our overall view of reality. He will explain the difference between the scientific method and ‘scientism’, and provide an overview of theories (such as panpsychism and cosmopsychism) that postulate consciousness precedes matter. Followed by Q&A. Buy tickets £10

12.00 – 1.00: Artists and Space

Join local artists Professor Fiona Crisp‍ and Luis Bernardo Guzmán (Northumbria University) as they talk about their work in space. Fiona will discuss  the difference between citizen-led space research and science/ corporate approaches, and why artists need to take a leading role. Luis will share how his work combines art, biotechnology, and space exploration, and discuss how and why the International Space Station commissioned some of this work. This session will be hosted by SETI Institute artist-in resident Daniela De Paulis. Followed by Q&A. Buy tickets £10

2.00 – 3.00: Cockpit Visions

Join Dr Bill Garrett (former pilot and cognitive neuroscientist) and Graeme Rendall (aviation historian and author of 20 books) discussing the science of how pilots see and the history of strange lights in the skies. Bill will explain the basics of how the brain interprets visual information, and the technologies contemporary pilots use to help them identify what is in the sky around them.   Graeme will be looking at UFO reports from WW11 (including one from Northumberland in 1944) even before the term was invented, and what analysis was carried out by air intelligence experts. Followed by Q&A. Buy tickets £10

3.00 – 4.00: Close Encounters

Join Ryan Sprague (American author, media presenter and UFO podcaster) and Holly Wood (a leading voice for UK people who have had UFO encounters) discuss their work. Ryan will  focus on the different ways ordinary people interpret contact with ‘non-human intelligence’. Holly will discuss the Nanu app and platform (Network Advancing New Understandings), a global digital space dedicated to documenting anomalous experiences, and provide an overview of the diversity of the UK experience. Followed by Q&A. Buy tickets £10