The sights and sounds of one of the universe's most mysterious phenomenons, a black hole, is to recreated in Edinburgh as part of this year's International Science Festival.
Lily Hibberd’s Black Hole Horizon, a spectacular "3D-sound journey into a black hole" to be staged the Summerhall venue, is part of the programme which will take place in 29 venues across the city from April 1 to 16.
As in previous years there will be science classes for families at the City Arts Centre, a new Experimentarium at Summerhall, and a series of events in the main hall of the National Museum of Scotland.
The festival, which has the theme this year of 'Get Connected' will also encompass 250 speakers and 270 events in total.
It also includes a series of art and theatrical performances including plays at the Traverse and Royal Lyceum theatres, as well as a series of discussions and talks.
Amanda Tyndall, creative director of the festival, sponsored by EDF energy, said: “Conflict, cultural divisions, demographic shifts and environmental degradation are not new, but what is new is the degree to which we are all connected – both in real time and virtually in a wired world – to these issues and to each other.
"These virtual, digital connections offer exciting opportunities for creativity, society and the economy.
"Science is at the heart of the technology, tools and techniques that have fuelled digital innovation, and Edinburgh is home to many established heavyweights, and innovative start-ups, that are driving global connectivity"
Play On at the National Museum will include four commissioned art digital artworks
Moments in Time will be a free, interactive on the Mound, consisting of Scottish style police-boxes, each with a different theme, including the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, the Information Age and 101 Scottish inventions
Dr Stirlingshire's Discovery is a new production presented by Grid Iron and Lung Ha Theatre Company and will be staged at Edinburgh Zoo.
Also at Summerhall, Stephen Hurrell’s Beneath and Beyond: Seismic Sounds makes a sound artwork from the usually inaudible shifts of the Earth's tectonic plates.
Stef Smith’s new play, Girl in the Machine, will be directed by Traverse artistic director Orla O'Loughlin.
Scientific experimentation is also at the core of Caryl Churchill’s A Number, presented in partnership with the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, where a 35 year old only child learns the truth that he’s a clone, directed by Zinnie Harris.
Director of the Edinburgh International Science Festival, Dr Simon Gage said, “As the world’s first Science Festival we are proud to continue leading with way, not just with the large, rich programme of speakers and events in Edinburgh this April.
“Science is at the heart of almost every issue and challenge the world faces in its future.
"It is vital that we engage young people in these issues and make the STEM [Science, technology, engineering and maths] subjects a primary consideration for their further education.
"To do this we need to make sure that we talk about science and engineering and present science in ways which are practical, mind-expanding and engaging."
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