About the event

Join us on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 October for a celebration of Johannes Hevelius, one of the great scientists of the 17th century, who drew the first detailed map of the Moon. 

A pioneering astronomer and brewer from Gdansk in Poland, Hevelius built his own instruments and observatory, and his lunar atlas remained unrivalled for generations.

The Bodleian is hosting a special display of Hevelius's work, as well as family activities, workshops and talks, in collaboration with the Oxford Polish Association, the Polish Cultural Institute and others.

This event is presented in collaboration with IF Oxford, part of the Festival’s annual programme to spark curiosity and engagement with science and ideas.

From Sextants to Machine Learning: The Hunt for Planets and Galaxies

29 October 2025, 12.30 — 14.00
Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre, Weston Library

In this free talk, discover how science, curiosity and collaboration shape our understanding of the universe. Astronomer Professor Chris Lintott and zoologist Dr Joanna Bagniewska explore how discoveries are made from Johannes Hevelius’s Selenographia (1647), one of the first lunar atlases, to today’s citizen science projects on platforms like Zooniverse. Why are some constellations “obsolete”? Could anyone find a new planet? And what does global collaboration in science look like in an age of politics and misinformation?

Dr Joanna Bagniewska is a zoologist and science communicator whose work spans behavioural ecology, biodiversity conservation, and public engagement. She is a Departmental Lecturer in Environmental Science at the University of Oxford and co-director of the Postgraduate Certificate in Ecological Survey Techniques. She is the author of The Modern Bestiary (2022) and a contributor to the children’s book Life: The Wild Wonders of Biodiversity (2025).

Professor Chris Lintott is an astronomer at the University of Oxford whose research ranges from galaxy formation and machine learning to the study of interstellar objects. He leads large-scale citizen science projects through the Zooniverse, working with millions of volunteers worldwide, and is part of the collaboration building the Vera Rubin Observatory. Beyond research, he presents the BBC’s Sky at Night, writes widely about astronomy, and was recently appointed the 39th Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College.

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Explore the Moon with Hevelius’s Selenographia

29 – 30 October 2025, 9.00 — 17.00
Blackwell Hall (Transept), Weston Library

Come and discover a rare treasure of early astronomy: the original 1647 edition of Selenographia, sive Lunae descriptio ('Selenography, or A Description of the Moon') by Johannes Hevelius. This landmark work features the first detailed map of the Moon, meticulously drawn from Hevelius’s own telescopic observations.

The original volume will be on display in the Transept in Blackwell Hall, and you can also see a full digital version on Digital Bodleian. Come and explore the Moon as it was first seen through the eyes of a 17th-century stargazer.

 
Hevelius activity day

30 October 2025, 11.00 — 14.00
Blackwell Hall, Weston Library

Enjoy a special day of family-friendly activities and hands-on astronomy workshops organised in collaboration with the Oxford Polish Association.

Explore the wonders of the universe together with fun for all ages — from space-themed crafts to interactive sessions with astronomy experts. Don’t miss this chance to learn, play, and discover the cosmos!

Location

• This event takes place in person in Blackwell Hall and the Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre at the Weston Library. Find out more about getting here.
• The Weston Library is wheelchair accessible. Find out more about accessibility at our site.