Women explore the cosmos at Isle of Man's 'Reach for the Stars' event

The Level Up Club recently hosted an event called 'Reach for the Stars' at the Isle of Man Astronomical Society Observatory. Aimed at women in their 20s and 30s, it combined learning, community, and an exploration of the night sky. The gathering was described as one of the club’s most inspiring to date. Attendees were guided through the cosmos by members of the Isle of Man Astronomical Society and Howard Parkin of AstroManx. Many experienced their first view of the stars through the society’s telescopes.

NASA astronaut Nicole Stott sent a special video message to the event. She spoke about the importance of creativity, curiosity, and courage. Stott also shared her belief that everyone is a crewmate on Earth, not just a passenger, and stressed the value of mutual support.

Club founder Ealish Corlett explained that the event was designed to create meaningful experiences. Its purpose was to build confidence among the women who attended. She also noted that membership in the Level Up Club is growing. The club now plans to expand its programme for 2026. More creative, confidence-building events are set to follow. The success of 'Reach for the Stars' highlights the demand for such initiatives.