in the Celestial Sphere

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Peter Meijer

Hello, my name is Peter. I live in Norfolk and go to Dereham Sixth form College. I study Government and Politics, History and Geography at A2 level.

I enjoy lots of different activities and have tried a wide range of clubs, sports and hobbies my favourites include; sailing, swimming, flying, skiing, football (despite being awful), rugby, shooting and archery, biking, computing and of course, astronomy.

I was lucky enough to get a place on the trip to South Africa, and was given the opportunity to teach in township schools and visit the impressive Sutherland Observatory. We also managed to fit in visits to a particle accelerator and a wonderful trip to an animal park and crocodile breeding centre.

I really felt seeing the townships was an invaluable experience, and brought home to me how lucky I am in the United Kingdom. How eager to learn the students were in South Africa was really surprising.

On the first day, almost straight after having arrived in South Africa we visited Table Mountain; the “table cloth” was luckily not covering the mountain top and the views were spectacular. We also had our first encounter with a dassie. The hotel in Cape Town, named the Lady Hamilton was really nice, and the meals were great!

I remember whilst traveling north to Sutherland and the location of the South Africa Large Telescope we were lucky enough to stop in a township in the Town of Worcester. We visited one of the South African learner’s homes and spoke to many of her extended family who were there, as well as sampling traditional African beer. The response we received was really friendly and welcoming, and their reactions to us really surprised me.

Once we reached Sutherland I was a little dismayed at how small and quiet, almost desolate it looked however I grew to appreciate it by the end of the second week, and the sky’s were the clearest I have ever seen in my entire life.

I have really enjoyed the past year, I have thoroughly enjoyed studying astronomy and I thought this trip was amazing, and a wonderful opportunity. I would like to personally thank the sponsors and Mr Cripps for all your time, effort and funding, I really appreciate it.