7 Jul 2016

The television channel is taking part as Media Partner in the prestigious science festival that brings together the leading scientists and thinkers of the moment, including Professor Stephen Hawking, from today onwards through to July 2 in Tenerife and La Palma.
Speakers include the American astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, the presenter of the “Cosmos” series and one of the best known faces of NGC.

National Geographic Channel (NGC) Spain and STARMUS have announced today a collaboration agreement making National Geographic television channel Media Partner in the third edition of this festival, which starts today and runs until July 2 in Tenerife and La Palma. Once again, STARMUS is bringing together some of the brightest minds from science, the economy, technology and the media in order to discuss and contribute ideas regarding the future of humanity.
A NGC camera team will interview this year’s speakers and film some of the highlights of the festival. The channel will also support some of the events such as the discussion on “Intelligent Life in the Universe” between the American astrophysicists Neil deGrasse Tyson, presenter of the version of the “Cosmos” series produced by NGC and a regular contributor to the channel, and Jill Tarter, SETI (Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence) pioneer and one of the leading global experts on the search for extra-terrestrial life.

“National Geographic Channel shares STARMUS’ aim to make science accessible to the general public in an original way, with the support of world-class scientists and experts from a range of fields. This partnership with the festival enables us to get closer to these experts, including, we are delighted to say, one of the best known faces on our channel, Neil deGrasee Tyson, as well as enabling us to join forces to extend the impact of their knowledge through our communication channels,” commented Belén Frías, Communications Director at NG Partners in Spain.
According to Garik Israelian, astrophysicist and Director of the festival, “our collaboration with National Geographic Channel drives a world of synergies regarding the dissemination of scientific knowledge and brings this content closer to all those who are interested in and love science, as well as to experts, wishing to understand the major global threats and discoveries we are facing in today’s world.”

The big names expected at STARMUS 2016 include Professor Stephen Hawking, to whom tribute is being paid this year, the aforementioned Neil deGrasee Tyson and Jill Tarter, astrophysicists like Kip Thorne and Martin Rees; the evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins; Professor of Astronomy and Head of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford, Steven Balbus; Professor of Physics at the University of Manchester, Brian E. Cox or the Spanish-American astronaut Michael López-Alegría.
Astronomy and astrophysics will feature prominently in NGC’s programming for the fall, including the exclusive premiere of the series “Mars”, which is currently under production from executive producers Ron Howard and Brian Glazer.