No One’s Moon Project
This summer, The Planetary Lab is hosting the No One’s Moon project as part of our summer exhibition!
What is No One’s Moon?
As commercial space missions accelerate, space exploration is happening at a rapid pace—often without public discussion or consent. No One’s Moon aims to encourage discussion about our Moon and advocate for global policies (similar to the Antarctic Treaty) that protect the Moon’s fragile environment for future generations.
Key Aims of the Project:
- Raise Awareness: Highlight the potential impacts of space commercialisation on Earth’s ecosystems.
- Protect the Moon: Gather international support for policy that safeguards the Moon as a global commons.
- Celebrate Cultural Heritage: Explore the Moon’s deep significance across literature, art, history, and Indigenous traditions.
- Spark Conversation: Empower communities and diverse voices to join the discussion on space ethics.
Meet the Researchers
No One’s Moon brings together world-class researchers, scientists, and storytellers from the University of Exeter:
- Dr Suzanne Conway (Project Founder & Manager): A poet, writer, and researcher focused on giving a voice to underrepresented groups and exploring the deep connections between humanity and nature.
- Professor Martin Siegert: A leading polar scientist and climate expert exploring how Antarctic conservation principles can guide outer-space diplomacy.
- Professor Jamie Hampson: An expert in Indigenous heritage and rock art, examining how humans have connected with celestial bodies for tens of thousands of years.
- Dr Arwen Nicholson: An astrobiologist and computational modeller investigating life-environment systems, space ethics, and why Earth remains our only home.
- Professor Nathan Mayne: An astrophysicist studying planetary climates, exoplanets, and how atmospheric science applies to both the solar system and Earth.
Join Us This August: Events & Workshops
We have an exciting lineup of talks and hands-on workshops happening at The Planetary Lab throughout the summer!
- Saturday 8th August | Space Exploration or Space Exploitation?
- Talks: Catch scheduled talks with astrobiologist Dr Arwen Nicholson.
- Workshops: Join founder Dr Suzanne Conway for creative writing and art workshops inspired by the Moon (plus bite-sized drop-in activities!).
- Saturday 15th August | Indigenous Belies & Prehistoric Skies
- Talks: Prof. Jamie Hampson presents “The anaconda in the sky: Indigenous rock art and 100,000 years of beliefs about space”, alternating with Jowan Albon’s talk, “The Moon Before History: How Prehistoric Britain Saw the Night Sky”.
- Saturday 29th August | Creative Moon Workshops
- Workshops: Another opportunity to dive into moon-inspired creative writing and art with Dr Suzanne Conway.
What’s Next?
The conversation doesn’t stop here! Beyond our summer exhibition, No One’s Moon is launching a podcast series on the University of Exeter’s Spotify channel, hosting International Observe the Moon Night events on Saturday 19th September, and gearing up for a UK tour with The Planetary Lab next year.
Come along to the exhibition this August, get curious, and share your perspective on why the Moon matters to you!