Studium Generale: 'Who owns the moon?' | A lecture + rooftop telescope session

Note: This event will be Dutch spoken.

Who hasn’t looked up at the Moon and imagined what it would be like to walk on its surface? The Moon is calling to us all. China and the United States both want to be the first country to set foot on the lunar surface again. Countries are planning to build lunar bases or even nuclear reactors there. NASA has already flown around the Moon with Artemis II. The Moon could serve as a stepping stone to the rest of space, while companies are eager to extract its natural resources. But who has the right to claim a piece of the Moon? And where does our fascination with lunar colonisation come from?

In this lecture, moderator Kas Jansma will explore our desire to reach the Moon with a panel of experts. Clemens Six, Professor of Contemporary History specialising in decolonisation, has researched our historical fascination with colonising the Moon. Inga Kamp, Professor of Astronomy, will explain the challenges of surviving on the Moon. Carmen Grootenhuis, a space law expert, will explore whether you can simply claim a piece of the Moon for yourself.

After the lecture, there will be an opportunity to observe the Moon and Saturn from the roof of the Forum. Volunteers from the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute will be on hand with telescopes.