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Students meet BBC2 astronaut competiton winner

31st January 2018

On Wednesday the 31st of January 47 students from Helston Community College went to Goonhilly Earth Station to listen to a talk from Dr Suzie Imber. Suzie is an associate professor in Planetary Science at the University of Leicester, as well as being the winner of the BBC 2 series "Astronauts: Do you have what it takes?" and a very accomplished mountaineer.

Suzie spoke about her research in to the formation of the planet Mercury, and how her department are sending an instrument to the smallest planet in our solar system as part of a European Space Agency mission, Bepicolumbo.

She also revealed how during her PhD she developed an interest in mountaineering, and conquered the highest peak in the southern hemisphere, Aconcagua, as her first attempt at climbing mountains! She also spoke about her experiences on television, and how winning the programme has given her a greater understanding of not only what it takes to be an astronaut, but also how her experiences throughout her life helped her succeed.

Finally, students were given the opportunity to ask Suzie questions, which ranged from "what did you think of the other candidates" to "what do you think happens to objects which enter a black hole".