There was a big turnout at Culloden Academy to hear the discoverer of pulsars, Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, speak on the subject in an event hosted by the Highlands Astronomical Society (HAS).

'Her talk, based on the most up-to-date concepts and theories of pulsars and neutron stars, engrossed us all and her presentation style, which makes the most complex concept seem so simple, had everyone in the palm of her hand,' says HAS Chairman Eric Walker. 'She delved into Einstein's theories of relativity and hypothesised how pulsars could conceivably be utilised as the lighthouses for future interstellar navigation. The sudience just couldn't get enough and the question and answer session which followed was both energetic and thought-provoking.