In May, as ESA’s comet-chasing Rosetta spacecraft begins a series of manoeuvres to bring it closer to its target, so another vehicle is closing in on its target here on Earth: the Rosetta truck, a touring exhibition that will rendezvous with 16 cities across Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
An impressive exhibition truck packed with information and interactive demonstrations about the mission will depart from Finland at the start of May, and embark on a 5000 km journey through Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The Rosetta truck will visit Vaasa, Oulu, Trondheim, Oslo, Borlänge, Gothenburg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Linköping, Södertälje, Turku, Helsinki, Lahti, Tampere, Jyväskylä and Seinäjoki. The full programme is provided at the end of this post.
The Rosetta tour truck. Credits: ESA
Cook a comet and snap a Rosetta-themed ‘selfie’
The truck contains models of Rosetta and its Philae lander, a comet-cooking laboratory, and a cometary surface mock-up upon which visitors can sit. They can also take an out-of-this world ‘selfie’ with the comet and Rosetta models.
Children can also try to land their own landers onto the comet and the best attempts will be rewarded with ESA branded goodies. Paxi, the small space-faring mascot of ESA Education, will also join the ride and meet with the visiting children.
All this is accompanied with detailed information displays, and local specialists explaining the science and technology of the mission, from the role of comets in the formation of the Solar System, to Rosetta’s journey around the planets and the sophisticated technology that makes the mission possible. Naturally, the involvement of the Nordic countries in the mission will be highlighted.
The Rosetta tour truck will visit 16 cities across Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Click to enlarge. Credits: ESA
Track the Rosetta truck!
Even if you are unable to join the exhibition you can still follow the adventure online via the Rosetta blog, the Rosetta Mission Facebook page, and the @ESA_Rosetta twitter page. Videos, photos and reports from the truck – from the team and from visitors – will be published on these social media channels.
The local organisers are also encouraging everyone in their countries to track the truck’s journey. Take a photo of the Rosetta truck, and post it to the Rosetta Mission Facebook page or to the @ESA_Rosetta twitter account with the hashtag #rosettatour, and the participants sending the most interesting photos will receive ESA goodies.
Check the timetable below and join the adventure!
Times, in CEST, refer to “open truck” hours. Feel free to just turn up!
Rosetta on tour
2 May Vaasa, Market Square (FI); 12:00-18:00
3 May Oulu, Tietomaa Science Centre (FI); 09:00-19:00
5 May Trondheim, University Campus (NO); 09:00-18:00
6 May Trondheim, University Campus (NO); 09:00-15:00
7 May Oslo, Institute of astrophysics and physic (NO); 09:00-20:00
8 May Oslo, Institute of astrophysics and physic (NO); 09:00-15:00
9 May Borlänge, Framtidsmuseet (SE); 09:00-18:00
10 May Göteborg, Vetenskapsfestivalen (SE); 12:00-18:00
11 May Göteborg, Vetenskapsfestivalen (SE); 10:00-13:00
12 May Aarhus, Steno Museum (DK); 10:00-16:00 (+ public lectures in truck and planetarium 20:00-22:00)
13 May Aarhus, Steno Museum (DK); 09:00-13:00
14 May Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Copenhagen (DK); 10:00-15:00
15 May Linköping (SE); 09:00-18:00 (school visits)
16 May Södertälje (SE); 14:30-18:00
18 May Turku, Market Square (FI); 09:00-18:00
19 May Helsinki, Narinkkatori (FI); 09:00-19:00 (+ public lectures in the Univ. of Helsinki, Porthania building, 17:00-19:00)
20 May Helsinki, Narinkkatori (FI); 09:00-18:00
21 May Lahti, Library Square (FI); 09:00-18:00
22 May Tampere, Laukontori (FI); 09:00-18:00
23 May Jyväskylä, Are Square (FI); 09:00-18:00
24 May Seinäjoki, Kauppatori (FI); 09:00-16:00
The truck is built in Finland and the tour is supported by ESA and space authorities and organisations participating in the Rosetta mission: the Swedish National Space Board in Sweden, the Norwegian Space Centre in Norway, the Danish ministry of Higher Education and Science with Terma in Denmark, and in Finland by Tekes, the Finnish Meteorological Institute and Ursa Astronomical Association.
Discussion: 12 comments
Is the truck coming to Greece also? Perhaps later this year?
Do you consider to travel in Czech republic?
Are you planning to visit Barcelona?
It’s great to see so much interest in the tour truck! As you can see from the information provided in the text, this tour is supported by partners in these particular countries. It would certainly be great to see this initiative take off in other countries too!
The days for Oslo are stated, but not the hours. I am really curious if I can attend despite working full-time (until 1600)
Hi Nicholas, for Oslo the exhibition will be open until 2000 on the 7 May, and to 1600 on 8 May. Full programme details for each location will be available very soon (and through the local supporting sites).
I hope you can make it, and we’d love to hear about your experience afterwards!
Yay! I shall make it and I shall surely proclaim this event.
I wished there would be more cities in southern Sweden on the list Växjö, Kalmar or Karlskrona? But I understand though that you prefer places with universities being part of the mission.
No stop in stockholm 🙁
The list now has a time for the Södertälje visit, but no precise location. Where will it be?
HI there, We are in love for Rosetta’s Family.
My 3 years old daughter is mad for Rosetta.
So we wonder if you are coming to Italy or if we can help to arrange a tour here.
Best regards
Cristiano
I work at Sweden’s northernmost science center, Teknikens Hus in Luleå. We would very much like to take part of this travelling exhibition aswell.
I can see that you passed Luleå on your way between Oulu and Trondheim in Norway, too bad you didn’t stop to visit. Hope that you will prolonge the tour to reach the students of the University of Technology in Luleå and children of the northern part of Sweden aswell, attending our sceince center.
Keep my fingers crossed! There’s space and power for the bus, just outside on Campus. Welcome to Sweden again after your scheduled tour.