Public Lecture Series
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the public lecture series which should have taken place during the conference had to be canceled. We are still hoping to offer the series later on this year, with the speakers and topics listed below. Please check this space for updated information.
Programme
Making our Universe
Chris Lintott, University of Oxford
The story of our Universe is one of increasing complexity. Over the last 13.7 billion years, matter has coalesced, galaxies formed and structure has appeared from nothing. In this talk, Sky at Night presenter and Oxford astronomer Chris Lintott will give a brief history of the Universe, and will explain how chemistry has played a key role - whether in allowing the first stars to form or in producing life on Earth, or elsewhere.
Star Formation in our Galaxy
Rob Simpson, University of Oxford
Star formation is one the most important processes at work in the cosmos. The atoms that make up our planet and ourselves were made in the centres of stars, billions of years ago. To study star formation is to begin to understand the origin and make-up of the Galaxy and the Universe at large. Thanks to advances in infrared technology, we have begun to understand how stars form deep inside giant molecular clouds. This talk will overview our current understanding of star formation and discuss recent results from the Spitzer and Herschel space observatories, which are transforming our understanding of this field of astrophysics.
Gases to Gases; Dust to Dust - the
Helen Fraser,
University of Strathclyde
Did you ever wonder how to go to the toilet in space? Or why every human has the X-factor and is made of "star"-stuff? Did you know that the answers to these questions are linked? Join me on a colorful (and interactive) journey to understand the environments in which stars, planets and possibly life itself is forming, and discover why the simple chemicals you find all around us on earth are vital in this process....all humans very welcome...
Public Observing
Weather permitting, there will be public viewing of the night sky following each lecture, starting around 23:00. This leaves enough time after the public lectures but before observing to have dinner and/or a drink in one of the local restaurants or pubs.
The observing will take place across the street from the Martin Wood Lecture Theatre using the Philip Wetton Telescope. The telescope is located on the roof of the Denys Wilkinson Building, where the Department of Astrophysics is located (building 38 on the Science Area map, access from Keble Road).