Starmus Festival announces another of the novelties for its next edition by launching the “Ask Hawking” competition, a new attraction that makes of this one of the most eagerly awaited scientific encounters of 2014, with the Canary Islands as the worldwide meeting point for astrophysics.

The Starmus Festival takes a further step forward in its popularising approach, allowing the general public to put their questions to one of the leading lights of contemporary science: Stephen Hawking. Until 29th August, the non-professional public will be able to participate in the “Ask Hawking” competition through their accreditation at the festival or, for those who are not attending, through its Facebook page.

The jury will publish the winners on 1st September: three questions by the festival's attendees and one by the non-attending public. The four winners will put their question personally to Stephen Hawking at the festival and will have the opportunity to go on stage and experience a unique moment with the renowned scientist.

Advanced by Garik Israelian, an astrophysicist from the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, and with the sponsorship of the Government of the Canary Islands and the Council of Tenerife, the Starmus Festival is the stand-out encounter in the field of popular science, in an original format where music and the stars come together in Tenerife between 22nd and 27th September 2014. With the title “Beginnings. The Making Of The Modern Cosmos”, this second edition boasts a stellar panel of speakers such as the theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking; the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins or the ex-Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Brian May.

Tenerife, “one of the best places in the world for stargazing” according to the Starlight Foundation, will be the exceptional venue for the festival, consolidating its reputation as the most relevant astro tourist destination. It is with good reason that the Council of Tenerife is currently heading the European Commission-funded EU Sky Route project that seeks to consolidate astro tourist routes around Europe, these being a powerful differentiating feature for the destination.  

To participate in the “Ask Hawking” competition:

- E-Mail: hawking@starmus.com  

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarmusFestival?fref=ts  

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Notes for Editors:

1. The Tenerife Tourism Corporation is a membership led independent body, supported by the public and private sectors, which markets Tenerife overseas as a tourist destination. A portfolio of five specific brands has been created: Golf, Nature, Select, Convention Bureau and Film Commission.

2. For general tourism information on Tenerife please visit: www.webtenerife.co.uk.

3. For further information on the Starmus Festival 2014 please visit: www.starmus.com.

4. For media enquiries, please contact Brezo Rodríguez, Ana Sierra or Natividad Fradejas at Porter Novelli: Brezo.rodriguez@porternovelli.es / ana.sierra@porternovelli.es / natividad.fradejas@porternovelli.es / press@starmus.com / +34 91 702 85 10.