Astronomy has been the subject of wonder and speculation for as long as historical records exist. As with all science, people got some things right - and, even with the best methods available, other things wrong.

Since 2007, Alice Sheppard has run the Galaxy Zoo Forum, the discussion area for an online astronomy project with 300,000 members worldwide. Galaxy Zoo has so far produced 21 papers, whose authors and acknowledged contributors include several ordinary citizens. Some of its findings were a direct result of questions or collections of objects created by the users, who became "Citizen scientists".

Alice takes us through some of the best and worst of astronomical history, and what ancient and modern mistakes are made today. We will hear the questions people have come to Galaxy Zoo with, the ways in which biases were found and dealt with by the scientists and participants, the beautiful and inspiring projects created by untrained people and the scientific thinking they learnt for themselves to apply.

We also take a look at citizen science in general, how Galaxy Zoo taught large numbers of people to understand and use science, and explore what this might mean for skepticism.

Alice is one of Cardiff Skeptics's two founders (the one who does the Internet stuff while Dean does the more important bit). Having worked as a secretary, a teacher (thrown out for caring more about science than exams), and an office supervisor for a charity for disabled people, and an occasional astronomy writer, she's now just moved to London to start an MSc in Astronomy and is now co-founder of Hackney Skeptics in the Pub. Her blog is at aliceingalaxyland.blogspot.com

Let us know you are coming on Facebook here:

http://www.facebook.com/events/326520400703451/

In the meantime, why not classify a few galaxies for yourself at www.galaxyzoo.org

 According to Wikipedia this is the date Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems was published and we know you'll all want to celebrate with us.  No?  Well how about just meeting up for a nice pint with a bunch of equally nice folk?  That's right, it's time for the Brum Skeptics February social!

We had lots of people tell us they liked the Old Contemptibles, so we figured we'd give that another go.  It's near Snow Hill train station on Edmund St and we usually try and sit up the back as it's good for tables, which is handy if you're planning on eating plus wheelchair user accessible which makes us like the place even more.

As always, look out for one (or more) or the organisers, some familiar faces and possibly a stuffy-toy melon.  If that's all a bit too wishy-washy for you, leave us a message here or tweet us (@brum_skeptics) and we'll arrange to meet you beforehand.

 Deborah Hyde, editor of The Skeptic, who blogs on the supernatural as 'Jourdemayne' discusses the malign supernatural and the folklore of fear.

The religious and superstitious urge is natural to human beings, more common than not. This talk will explore why there are vampires and incubi, as well as gods and angels.

Find out why the dead chew in their graves, why vampires visit in autumn and whether ghosts live in electric clocks.

http://www.jourdemayne.com/