March 27th - "A Rough Guide To Dark Matter"

[MPOLE]

Our next meeting is on Thursday March 27th at the later time of 6:30pm, this is to try and give a few more people the chance to attend after work etc as it has been mentioned that 6pm is a little tight on time for some.

 

The talk this month is from Simon Dye, Lecturer from Nottingham University and is entitled "A Rough Guide To Dark Matter"

 

The talk will address one of the deepest mysteries of our Universe: Dark Matter. After a brief historical introduction to the notion of dark matter, Simon will discuss why we think this stuff is present in huge amounts in the Universe and what properties it has to have to agree with observations. Simon will explain how we can weigh dark matter and how we can measure the way in which it is spread within and around galaxies and clusters of galaxies. He will conclude with a discussion of alternatives to the idea of dark matter, focussing on whether we simply don't understand gravity.

 

Memberships continue to be renewed at a cost of £8 for the remainder of 2014. Non members are more than welcome, we ask for a donation of £2 for non members towards refreshments, newsletter etc. Under 16's welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

 

After the talk if the weather allows there will be a chance to do some observing in the observatory.

 

A reminder, this month is at the later time of 6:30pm as a trial, refreshments from 6:15pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

[tuckstar]

I might pop over for this matey, I assume it's at the school?

[Perkil8r]

It is yes, in the same block as the Library where you were for stargazing live, but almost opposite in the corridor.

[dawson]

Sounds good. I'll try and get out of work committments to come along. The last few meetings have been really good.

 

Jd

[MPOLE]

The society met on Thursday 27th March at the slightly later time of 6:30pm. The guest speaker was Simon Dye from Nottingham University who gave a fascinating talk about Dark Matter. Although the research he presented was at a high level Simon was able to make it understandable and interesting for all abilities. It seems that the Dark Matter detectors are not yet sensitive enough to detect this elusive substance but maybe one day….

 

After the session Simon took questions and then Mike chatted about gravitational waves which have just been detected confirming Einstein’s theory from 1916. He also spoke about the recent discovery of the asteroid Chariklo and the surprise discovery that the remote asteroid is surrounded by two dense and narrow rings. This is the smallest object by far found to have rings and only the fifth body in the Solar System, after the much larger planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune to have this feature.

 

Due to the Easter break and the school being closed the next meeting will be on Thursday May 15th and again starts at the later time of 6:30pm. Our guest speaker will be Martyn Barry from East Midlands Stargazers who will be talking about the lesser known life and times of Sir Isaac Newton. After the talk we will be holding a practical astronomy surgery – we invite you to bring your equipment in and share it with the group. If you have any questions or would like advice about what you should buy, would like to know what software is available or if you are interested in other fields such as astro-photography and need to know where to start we will be happy to assist.

Edited April 2, 2014 by MPOLE