The Pull of the Moon

Introduction The pull of the Moon on the public’s imagination is unrivalled. Since time immemorial, the Moon has fascinated humanity and has been a constant source of wonder, hope, and joy. The significance of the Moon in various cultures is well documented in historical records and often it lends itself to transdisciplinary interactions spanning the Arts, Humanities, Science and Engineering. In this context, the 2024 European Lunar Symposium (ELS) could not have found a better location than The Crichton in Dumfries, Scotland. A place which can claim to have connections with the Moon, both directly and metaphorically, through Neil Armstrong and Robert Burns, respectively.

Over 150 lunar researchers visited Dumfries and learned about the rich history of this region.

Cover image: ESA/Hubble, Lick Observatory; Earth’s Moon, with its dark basaltic mare, clearly visible in great detail.

Image: Partly-illuminated Earth rising over the lunar horizon. The lunar terrain shown, centred at 85 degrees east longitude and 3 degrees north latitude on the nearside of the Moon is in the area of Smyth’s Sea. The Earth is approximately 400,000 km away. (Apollo 11)

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They also engaged with the public and school students through dedicated events. The excitement and enthusiasm for learning more about the latest in lunar exploration was palpable. These interactions with the wider community and the region will be a treasured memory for many delegates.

As humans prepare to revisit the Moon, we plan to build on the legacy of the ELS by developing the skilled workforce of the future to support this endeavour, both on the Earth and the Moon!

Professor Mahesh Anand, Professor of Planetary Science and Exploration, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, The Open University.

Professor Mahesh Anand

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A gathering of minds The European Lunar Symposium is the premier Moon-focussed meeting in Europe. It attracts experts from around the world to share knowledge and discuss the latest developments in science and the exploration of the Moon.

This year, it was chaired by Professor Mahesh Anand of The Open University and was the result of a partnership between NASA SSERVI (Greg Schmidt, Director, Kristina Gibbs, Director of International Partnerships) and its European nodes. Previous editions of the European Lunar Symposium have been held across Europe, including Berlin, London, Amsterdam and most recently in Padua. And then they came to Dumfries!

It was a with a huge source of pride and excitement that The Open University in Scotland successfully bid to bring the 12th edition of the European Lunar Symposium to Dumfries and Galloway in June 2024.

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Dr Lori Glaze, Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD).

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The Symposium was set in The Crichton Trust’s beautiful grounds and gardens, and the main venues were Easterbrook Hall and Crichton Memorial Church.

From June 16th to 21st The Crichton became home to the world’s leading scientific minds, all of whom were over the Moon to be there!

The six-day symposium was not only a way to gather and share knowledge and learning. It was the perfect way to share the best of South of Scotland hospitality with guests. The week began with a welcome reception and icebreaker which proved to be a warm, engaging and happy start to a brilliant week. The Scottish themed dinner and Ceilidh was a huge hit with the delegates, as were the tours around the region to showcase Dumfries and Galloway’s natural beauty, culture and rich heritage.

The delegates attended keynote speeches from Dr Lori Glaze, Dr James Carpenter, and Professor Mahesh Anand, amongs many other notable leading scientists.

Industry roundtables throughout the week’s Plenary sessions covered all aspects of lunar science.

Dr Lori Glaze, NASA

School careers events and creative workshops were important parts of the Symposium giving some of our region’s young people an opportunity to meet delegates, learn more about our glorious Moon, and creatively express themselves. On the evening of the 20th June, a special Solstice Seminar was held, and attendees enjoyed an enthusiastic and engaging Q&A in Easterbrook Hall.

Dr James Carpenter, ESA Professor Mahesh Anand and Rick Armstrong

Professor Bethany Ehlmann, California Institute of Technology

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Dr Anna Csernok, University of Trieste

Dr Masaki Fujimoto, JAXA

Gwilym Gibbons, The Crichton Trust

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EXT. NIGHT IN THE CITY. A small garden, nestled between sandstone buildings, hidden in the center of a university campus.

The sky overhead is pitch and empty.

ARTIST: I ate the Moon.

ARTIST (CONT.) HEAD IN HER HANDS, HORRIFIED: Oh God, I ate the Moon.

My hands around her soft, lovely little hands.

The muscles, strong with her work.

To make; as to gorge on a feast; as to love her.

Lingering by the horizon in late afternoon, Celestial domesticant, Slinking feline.

The well of my heart Awaited on the windowsill, chilled with the evening.

“It is a reflection of you, My shadow slunk, Moon drunk, beautiful, wild creature.

Come drink.”

She leaned delicately down Dared to be delicious, And kissed me.

There was nothing else to be done.

I ate the Moon, And the starlit tops of the trees, Glutted on orange lamplight, The silence, the plantlife.

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Cheese before bed Bringing troubled dreams, And the end of the world.

The tides have come crashing in before their due.

There is no mistress now to heed their call.

I’m all cold feet and gasping delight, Burping up her darling, Wonderful, bright spirit.

The satellites fall.

Sour milk and honey, My hands now are holy And the sky is empty And the dishes have been washed.

These velvet dark nights might ruin me, If indigestion doesn’t first.

Poem and image by Rhiannon Mudaliar Rhiannon is an artist, writer, and member of DG Unlimited. She is passionate about the Moon which features regularly in her artistic work.

DG Unlimited would like to thank Rhiannon for generously granting us permission to use her photographic art and poem. © Rhiannon Mudaliar

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Crawick Multiverse

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Intrepid explorers

It was important to the hosts of the Symposium that delegates had the opportunity to visit some key locations and experience the natural beauty of our region and sample the culture and heritage.

Delegates were thrilled to visit the Crawick Multiverse during their visit to Dumfries and Galloway. The Crawick Multiverse is a land art installation created by the late world-renowned landscape architect and designer Charles Jencks. The installation and visitor centre, in Crawick, just outside Sanquhar is a major land restoration project which transformed a former disused open cast coal mine into a spectacular work of land art.

One of the Symposium’s special guests was Rick Armstrong, eldest son of Astronaut Neil Armstrong. What a special trip it was for the group to visit Langholm and Gilnockie Tower in Canonbie, the Ancestral Home of the Clan Armstrong!

Cathy Agnew, Trustee, Crawick Multiverse Trust and Rick Armstrong

Gilnockie Tower

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Sharing knowledge The Open University in Scotland were determined to share the excitement of the week and inspire our own young scientists of the future. Groups of STEM school pupils from the region had the chance to come and meet the delegates, ask questions, and hear about their work.

Lunar missions, Moon rocks, and ‘Living on the Moon!’ were all topics of discussion and were received with enthusiasm.

“I used to think space travel was only for Americans but it’s not. I could maybe go to the Moon one day.”

“This makes science much more interesting!”

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“It’s amazing to think this rock I’m holding was on the Moon!”

Professor Mahesh Anand

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Making friends Mission Dumfries and Galloway

By Derek Goldman

At The Open University in Scotland, our core principles are to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We always aspire to do things that are novel and that bring benefits to organisations, communities and the people we work with. Bringing the European Lunar Symposium to Dumfries and Galloway was challenging – with lots of unknowns and the potential for things to go wrong (a bit like all lunar missions!) However, what transpired in June 2024 was nothing short of exceptional. To see the jigsaw puzzle come together and so many global lunar specialists (many at the forefront in their field) share and collaborate, was very memorable indeed. What we achieved felt quite special. Just like space missions themselves - driven to discover new frontiers – to some extent we achieved that too in Dumfries and Galloway. We pushed the boundaries, we stepped out into the unknown, and the region responded to the challenge with warmth, confidence, humility and grace. Local partners excelled themselves in the support they offered as part of the wider team.

The delegates loved being in the South of Scotland. I really hope this experience will act as a catalyst to build on this success going forward.

Derek Goldman is a Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager at The Open University in Scotland

Derek Goldman, The Open University in Scotland

Jennifer Baer, NASA SSERVI

Brian Day, NASA SSERVI

Maureen Johnstone, Dumfries Provost

Tim Crain, Intuitive Machines

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‘Living on the Moon’ schools outreach team

Left to right: Caroline Bell, Professor Mahesh Anand, Derek Goldman and Kieran McKinstry

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Emily Tough Emily was delighted when we invited her to be an illustrator at the European Lunar Symposium. This, affectionately known as her ‘NASA project’ was the opportunity for a creative eye to capture the characters and their enthusiasm. Emily has given us a unique artist’s view and a charming record of the people and the occasion of the European Lunar Symposium.

A Dumfries based Illustrator, artist, and cultural worker. Emily is a multifaceted artist creating work according to medium and project. Though her training in visual communication has left her with a strong illustrative style which permeates throughout her range of work from events, workshops, publications, and installations. Emily works within ‘Propagate’ a worker-led food collective which specialises in local, community and sustainable food projects. We believe food system change offers real solutions to our climate, nature, and cultural emergency. Emily is the anchor to the collective We Agree On Eggs, the purpose of which is to create interesting and meaningful experiences where people feel connected to themselves and the world around them.

Emily is a member of DG Unlimited.

Emily Tough

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Illustrations © Emily Tough

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A week to remember

Left to right: Greg Schmidt (NASA SSERVI), Kristina Gibbs (NASA SSERVI), Professor Kevin Shakesheff (The Open University), Cathy Agnew (Crawick Multiverse Trust), Gwilym Gibbons (The Crichton Trust), Professor Mahesh Anand (The Open University), Campbell Young (SOSE), Gowan Miller (SSDA), Andrew Walls (The Crichton Foundation) and Derek Goldman (The Open University in Scotland).

The European Lunar Symposium would not have been possible without the passion, commitment and support of all the partners.

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Design: artibrand.co.uk

It was a joy and a privilege to be surrounded by the lunar community’s enthusiasm and passion for our beautiful Moon!

DG Unlimited is a membership organisation working to showcase, support, and champion the people who make Dumfries and Galloway’s creative and cultural sector. We work with a variety of partners to advocate for the vital contribution creative practitioners and cultural organisations make to our economy and communities. This supplement was produced by freelance creatives from Dumfries and Galloway, all of whom are members of DG Unlimited.

It is an example of the work we do with and for Dumfries and Galloway’s creative and cultural community, and of our partnerships with the private and public sector in Scotland and now, thanks to the European Lunar Symposium, around the world, or should I say, Moon?

Tabitha Mudaliar, Editor, Creative Director, DG Unlimited.

DGUnlimited.org This publication was produced and edited by DG Unlimited, D&G Chamber of the Arts (SCIO). This publication, wholly or in part, cannot be copied or reproduced without written permission. The Pull of the Moon, DG Unlimited © 2024.

Tabitha Mudaliar

Photographs in this publication, unless otherwise stated, by Mike Bolam ©

DG Unlimited would like to thank the The Open University, The Crichton Trust, and all the partners for permitting our team of artists and writers to creatively record the European Lunar Symposium.