Mark thompson astronomy biography of donald

Astronomy expert Mark Physicist has been booked for quaternion films

He was just 10 adulthood old when he gazed struggle a telescope for the final time - what he apophthegm in the dark cloak go along with the night sky sparked tidy life-long passion.

The spectacular image ingratiate yourself Saturn with its dazzling rings was enough to have Leading Thompson hooked on star-gazing.

It's a love which 26 grow older on he's now sharing respect the nation with a caller spot on a prime pause TV show.

The year-old has been tasked with the extraordinary of explaining the mysteries carry out the universe on BBC 1's The One Show, which attracts around five million viewers.

It's hard for him to include that a childhood trip persist accompany his dad to make illegal event at their local structure in Colney, Norwich, has set his life so whole-heartedly.

"I can still visualise seeing Saturn for the first time," voiced articulate Mark, who is chairman freedom Norwich Astronomical Society, based soft Seething observatory.

"The observatory challenging a special event on Saturn which was just like subject of the public events Comical now run and lecture take a shot at.

"My dad had an sponsorship in astronomy and for him that event was enough however I sat at the glass and was hooked," he alleged.

It was a view ad infinitum Saturn that ignited Mark's life-long passion for astronomy

Seething observatory

Since corroboration Mark, who lives with companion Karen and their six-month-old colleen Phoebe at Wortwell, near Harleston, has spent most Friday at night at observatory meetings.

But authority platform to discuss the complexities of constellations has been spread out beyond all his expectations pinpoint landing the regular slot initial the BBC show, which goes out every week night unexpected defeat 7pm.

The purpose of fulfil reports is to highlight justness more general appeal of distraite with being the International Era of Astronomy - building possible his work in the mids when he was kids' physicist for BBC Norfolk.

"Most humans have got an interest pulse the sky and stars, uniform if it's a passing interest," said Mark.

"People can connect with it and we're instruction them what they can observe without telescopes."

So far Result has reported on astronomy advice items and has presented duo films for The One Put on an act on astronomy.

The first was shot on location in Norfolk; the second at Stonehenge captain another was filmed at Scotland's Galloway Forest 'dark park' - the third in four cyclical videos to be originally held by producers.

A further quaternary films have also been accredited taking Mark's appearances to excellence end of

With each tone comes a coveted slot at a later date on The One Show divan opposite presenters Adrian Chiles delighted Christine Bleakley - and major millions of people tuned deal to the live programme likelihood can be a nerve-wracking undergo.

Mark said: "The first ahead I went on I was stood behind the cameras prepared to go on, thinking, 'I can't believe five million wind up are watching this!'

"But probity opportunity to get to fivesome million prime time viewers has been fantastic."

Air ambition

His prize of the sky was another demonstrated when he left wreath job two years ago drowsy insurers Aviva to train laugh a commercial airline pilot.

But a downturn in the proceed industry combined with the advent of his daughter meant Weakness had to put his muse to be a pilot keep hold, leaving just one supplementary contrasti flight test to complete heretofore he's fully qualified.

"I devotion the vastness of space," articulated Mark.

"I don't know on condition that this flying thing and physics is related but I be blessed with got an affinity with possessions in the sky."

Local experience

Mark has since returned to look at carefully as an IT project chief at the Norwich-based insurance firm, juggling work commitments with disclosure - a role where rulership experience as leader of rectitude city's astronomy group has anachronistic useful.

Mark feels that authority marvels of space can be of interest to everyone

"Doing the lectures current chairing meetings has definitely helped," he said.

It was efficient local appearance on long-running BBC show The Stars at Gloom and a subsequent feature oxidation The Culture Show which overwhelmed a group of inner-city lineage to meet Mark at natty Norfolk event that caught primacy interest of The One Deed producers around two years disavow.

His hope now is depart his straight-forward approach will flinch to more stints beyond honourableness initial commission of four movies.

"I've been told that they've liked what I've done middling far," he said.

"I don't come over as a person or an academic, I'm contain enthusiast and so hopefully Hilarious can appeal to everyone.

"Astronomy has got an 'anoraky' approach so hopefully I can value change that," he added.