Take a trip to the stars with Professor Brian Cox on a Manchester Astrotram

Ever fancied travelling across the Universe on board a Manchester tram? Well this week you can. Sort of. Because on selected trams the ceiling will be transformed into the night sky and you’ll be able to gaze up at the Universe whilst being treated to intergalactic facts from Professor Brian Cox.

It’s being made possible by an augmented reality app called SciMan which has been developed by the University of Salford and can be downloaded for free from the App store.

And as if that’s not enough, science buskers will amaze passengers with experiments on board trams On Wednesday July 27 and Thursday July 28, between 9.30am – 11.30am and 2.30pm – 4.30pm.

And on the mezzanine level at Piccadilly Station and Victoria Station there will be Astrotram stands all day where you can try the pulsar twister chair and take near-infrared selfies.

Dr Annie Keane, director of the European City of Science programme said: “The partnership between the universities and Transport for Greater Manchester, gives a unique addition to the Science in the City festival programme. We hope people taking a tram will be entertained and educated as they travel on a journey through the Milky Way, unlocking the secrets of the Universe on this very special app.”

This festival runs alongside the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF), marking Manchester’s designation as European City of Science, and is designed to engage and inspire everyone, from the next generation of scientists to anyone of any age with an interest in the world we live in.

The Metrolink network will be featuring Astrotram until Friday 29 July. Astrotram is a collaboration between the School of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Manchester, the University of Salford, the European City of Science programme and Transport for Greater Manchester.

For more details of the Science in the City Festival programme click here or follow @sciencecity2016 #ASTROTRAM