Presented on ZOOM New Year Lecture January 13th at 7pm
ABOUT THE LECTURE:
“Black holes, dark matter and dark energy. Have astronomers turned to the dark side?”
An accessible overview of what has got scientists baffled. What do we know about black holes, dark matter and dark energy? Certainly in the case of Dark Matter and Dark Energy we know very little.
In this lecture Dr. Allan will explore our knowledge (or lack of knowledge) of three of the most baffling things in our universe.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Peter Allan, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford
I first got interested in astronomy at the age of ten. I build my own telescope using two lens and a cardboard tube. With hindsight, this was the perfect first telescope for me – it was good enough to see things that were not visible with the naked eye, and bad enough to know that I wanted something better!
I obtained a B.Sc. in Physics and a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Manchester University. I spent the next four years doing research at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, and at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. In subsequent years I used telescopes in Hawaii, La Palma (Canary Islands), South Africa, and a little closer to home, the MERLIN radio telescope array that is run from Jodrell Bank.
In 1990, moved to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, and I have been here ever since. The space science department there (RAL Space) does a lot more than just astronomy and I took the opportunity to get involved in Earth Observation, data processing systems, and international standards for Space Data Systems.
I have given talks on many subjects to a range of audiences and led star gazing parties. I have given talks to member of the U3A, to audiences at local Cafés Scientifique, and to astronomy societies. I have also been on several cruises, where I led star gazing sessions and gave talks on aspects of astronomy to the cruise passengers. Recently, I have taken on the new challenge of explaining astronomy to my 5 year-old granddaughter.