Considered to be “leading the world-wide push” for supporting female astronomers, Dr Helen Walker from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory came to Downe on Tuesday, 22 November to give a fascinating lecture on her work for the past 30 years involving space satellites and infrared astronomy.

With a laboratory full of pupils, the lecture began with an introduction by Sixth Form pupil Jessica Rollason. Dr Walker, who has worked on some of the most advanced astronomical satellites in the world, told the eager group about her work on the Mars Express which included a wonderful view of the Martian landscape, and her more recent involvement on the James Webb Space Telescope. The Downe House Astronomy Club will be continuing with meetings and lectures throughout the year, including a trip to the Oxford University telescope in February.