Presented on ZOOM Public Lecture August 11th at 7pm
ABOUT THE LECTURE:
“The Solar Neighbourhood – A guide to the nearest stars”
The area of the galaxy where the Sun currently resides can be considered as a fairly typical area of the galaxy. This talk will consider the stars within 5 parsecs of the Sun, concentrating on those with particular characteristics e.g. the Alpha Centauri and Sirius systems, Barnard’s star and the home of Mr Spock from Star Trek. The talk is not so much of a list as an opportunity to mention many of the characteristics of stars. Woven into the talk are references to measuring distances to stars and the appearance of the Sun and other stars from the stars concerned. The talk will conclude with some thoughts on the status of the Sun in the neighbourhood and the Galaxy.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Professor Colin Steele, University of Manchester.
Colin was inspired by early events including Apollo Moon landings. Bought small telescope 1972. Joined Dundee Astronomical Society in 1978.
He studied Mathematics and Astronomy and Astrophyics at St Andrews University, 1982-1986. He has a PhD in Applied Mathematics (Dynamics of Solar Prominences), 1986-1990. He taught of Mathematics to students in many parts of University of Manchester, since 1993.
Colin has studied Equilibria and Stability of Structures in solar atmosphere Dynamics of orbits of Trojan Asteroids.
Observations of e.g. Meteors, Noctilucent Clouds etc.
Colin joined BAA 1985 and many other societies. He is also a member of IAU.
He was active in BAA Meteor section mid-1980s onwards and was the Scottish Astronomers Group President 1991-1993