Mark is known for his tireless enthusiasm for making science accessible, through numerous tv, radio, podcast and theatre appearances, and books.
Film work
Mark was part of the presenting team for the award-nominated BBC Stargazing Live where he guided viewers around the night sky.
He has also presented films for The One Show (BBC One), on subjects ranging from ‘the strange properties of dark matter in a salt mine’ to ‘the mysteries of Stonehenge’, and appeared on The Alan Titchmarsh Show, This Morning, Good Morning Britain, Celebrity Mastermind and Celebrity Pointless.
Podcast
In 2023 Mark launched The Constellation Station, a weekly podcast that shares astronomical information about what’s happening in the UK skies in the week ahead. It includes details of the Moon’s phases, the visibility of the planets, as well as specific events such as eclipses and meteor showers, International Space Station passages and any other prominent objects that you might see in the sky.
Speaking
Mark is an accomplished speaker having lectured at the Royal Astronomical Society, The Royal Institution, and the Norwich Science Festival to name a few. In addition to science and space, Mark regularly speaks about sleep, and the impact it has on our mental and physical health.
Tours
Mark has toured the UK, with his award-winning Spectacular Science Show, and performed to sell-out audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe – winning ‘Best Kid’s Show at the Edinburgh Fringe’ in 2019.
Books
Mark published his first book A Down to Earth Guide to the Cosmos in 2013. A Space Traveller’s Guide to the Solar System, Philips Stargazing with Mark Thompson and Philips Astrophotography with Mark Thompson and Rocket Science followed.
His most recent book, 101 Facts You Didn’t Know About Space often tops the ‘astronomy lists’ both here in the UK and Canada.
Charitable work
Mark is involved in several charities, most notably Barnardo’s Children’s Charity, which he raised tens of thousands of pounds for when he attempted to perform the ‘longest ever lecture’ in 2021. He lectured for 140 hours and 40 seconds. He is now a proud ambassador for The Sleep Charity.
He is a patron of the Norwich Science Festival, Youth STEMM Awards and Reach for a Star, and in 2018, Mark received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of East Anglia.