Free Astronomy Public Lectures

Presented by Prof. Sheila Rowan on 17th October 2014.

The information carried by these signals will give us new insight into the hearts of some of the most violent events in the Cosmos - from black holes to the beginning of the Universe. A global network of gravitational wave detectors is in now reaching the final stages of construction, with first data expected in 2015. The nature of gravitational waves, how the detectors work and what the data from the detectors can tell us about the Universe we inhabit will be discussed. Recorded on 17 October 2014.

Presented by Dr Pamela Gay on 7th October 2014.

Scientific literacy is required if we want our global society to succeed, but for a variety of reasons, science isn't a passion for most people, and most of the people in science are stereotypical white men. This is particularly true in the field of astronomy. In order to build a future that is more inclusive, we need to celebrate the successes of diverse researchers, and we need to use many different pathways to bring people to astronomy. In this talk, Dr. Pamela L. Gay will talk about the heroes of astronomy who inspired her, and how modern women in science are discovering our universe. She will also discuss how scientists and educators are working to inspire popular engagement in science through communications, citizen science, and helping people live more scientifically every day. Learn how inspiration can be used to potentially leverage the entire world to aid in science.

Scientific literacy is required if we want our global society to succeed, but for a variety of reasons, science isn't a passion for most people, and most of the people in science are stereotypical white men. This is particularly true in the field of astronomy. In order to build a future that is more inclusive, we need to celebrate the successes of diverse researchers, and we need to use many different pathways to bring people to astronomy. In this talk, Dr. Pamela L. Gay will talk about the heroes of astronomy who inspired her, and how modern women in science are discovering our universe. She will also discuss how scientists and educators are working to inspire popular engagement in science through communications, citizen science, and helping people live more scientifically every day. Learn how inspiration can be used to potentially leverage the entire world to aid in science.

Presented by Dr Pamela Gay on 7th October 2014.

Scientific literacy is required if we want our global society to succeed, but for a variety of reasons, science isn't a passion for most people, and most of the people in science are stereotypical white men. This is particularly true in the field of astronomy. In order to build a future that is more inclusive, we need to celebrate the successes of diverse researchers, and we need to use many different pathways to bring people to astronomy. In this talk, Dr. Pamela L. Gay will talk about the heroes of astronomy who inspired her, and how modern women in science are discovering our universe. She will also discuss how scientists and educators are working to inspire popular engagement in science through communications, citizen science, and helping people live more scientifically every day. Learn how inspiration can be used to potentially leverage the entire world to aid in science.

Scientific literacy is required if we want our global society to succeed, but for a variety of reasons, science isn't a passion for most people, and most of the people in science are stereotypical white men. This is particularly true in the field of astronomy. In order to build a future that is more inclusive, we need to celebrate the successes of diverse researchers, and we need to use many different pathways to bring people to astronomy. In this talk, Dr. Pamela L. Gay will talk about the heroes of astronomy who inspired her, and how modern women in science are discovering our universe. She will also discuss how scientists and educators are working to inspire popular engagement in science through communications, citizen science, and helping people live more scientifically every day. Learn how inspiration can be used to potentially leverage the entire world to aid in science.

Presented by Associate Professor Darren Croton on 19th September 2014.

Black holes are amongst the most bizarre objects predicted by Einstein's theory of General Relativity. Many people may not realise that our own galaxy hosts a supermassive black hole at its centre that is three million times more massive than our own Sun! In this talk Associate Professor Darren Croton discusses the physics of black holes and their formation, how they can grow to become so massive, active black hole 'quasars' in the distant universe and the unexpected impact that a supermassive black hole can have on the evolution of an entire galaxy. We will finish by side stepping into the exotic world of wormholes, the black hole's tormented cousin.

Presented by Associate Professor Darren Croton on 19th September 2014.

Black holes are amongst the most bizarre objects predicted by Einstein's theory of General Relativity. Many people may not realise that our own galaxy hosts a supermassive black hole at its centre that is three million times more massive than our own Sun! In this talk Associate Professor Darren Croton discusses the physics of black holes and their formation, how they can grow to become so massive, active black hole 'quasars' in the distant universe and the unexpected impact that a supermassive black hole can have on the evolution of an entire galaxy. We will finish by side stepping into the exotic world of wormholes, the black hole's tormented cousin.

Presented by Dr Jeff Cooke, Mark Durre and Associate Professor Michael Murphy on 18th July 2014.

Swinburne University of Technology astronomers will share their stories of discovery using twin 10-metre telescopes at the W M Keck Observatory atop Mauna Kea, Hawaii at a free public lecture on 18 July. Each year since 2008, Swinburne astronomers have had 15 nights' exclusive access to the world's leading optical/infrared telescopes. Using the observatory's cutting-edge instrumentation, astronomers have produced amazing discoveries about the Universe. Over the past three years alone, direct access to the Keck Observatory has enabled Swinburne astronomers to make discoveries such as the diamond planet, the emerald-cut galaxy, an ultra-compact dwarf galaxy, and more recently the discovery of a new supernova located in the outskirts of a galaxy some 100 million light years away. Some of these discoveries are now being made via a remote control room in the middle of Swinburne's Hawthorn campus, more than 9000 kilometres away from the Keck Observatory.

Presented by Dr Jeff Cooke, Mark Durre and Associate Professor Michael Murphy on 18th July 2014.

Swinburne University of Technology astronomers will share their stories of discovery using twin 10-metre telescopes at the W M Keck Observatory atop Mauna Kea, Hawaii at a free public lecture on 18 July. Each year since 2008, Swinburne astronomers have had 15 nights' exclusive access to the world's leading optical/infrared telescopes. Using the observatory's cutting-edge instrumentation, astronomers have produced amazing discoveries about the Universe. Over the past three years alone, direct access to the Keck Observatory has enabled Swinburne astronomers to make discoveries such as the diamond planet, the emerald-cut galaxy, an ultra-compact dwarf galaxy, and more recently the discovery of a new supernova located in the outskirts of a galaxy some 100 million light years away. Some of these discoveries are now being made via a remote control room in the middle of Swinburne's Hawthorn campus, more than 9000 kilometres away from the Keck Observatory.

Presented Assoc. Prof. John O'Meara on 6th July 2014.

Through the combination of large telescopes, advanced computer simulations and advancing theory, cosmologists have made significant progress in describing the universe on the largest scales and over cosmic times. However, many questions remain. Amongst these is a fundamental question underpinning the formation of galaxies - how do galaxies get the gas they need to fuel stars? In this talk, Assoc. Prof O'Meara will describe the hunt for this "pristine gas", left unaltered since its creation shortly after the Big Bang, and explore its implications for galaxy formation, including the formation of our own Milky Way.

Presented Assoc. Prof. John O'Meara on 6th July 2014.

Through the combination of large telescopes, advanced computer simulations and advancing theory, cosmologists have made significant progress in describing the universe on the largest scales and over cosmic times. However, many questions remain. Amongst these is a fundamental question underpinning the formation of galaxies - how do galaxies get the gas they need to fuel stars? In this talk, Assoc. Prof O'Meara will describe the hunt for this "pristine gas", left unaltered since its creation shortly after the Big Bang, and explore its implications for galaxy formation, including the formation of our own Milky Way.

Presented by Dr Nick Lomb on 16th May 2014.

Melbourne is brightly lit at night. Some lighting is needed for safety, security and to make the city centre an attractive place, but is it all necessary? Why are we lighting the sky when no one lives there? In this talk we will discuss good and bad lighting and consider the effects of night-time lighting on safety, on the environment, on nocturnal animals and, most importantly, on our health. We will end by discussing what we can do individually and collectively to improve the night-time environment.