1. June Lecture (and DVD) "Dark
Matter"
We are flying in Prof Tim Sumner from London to
give our June 9 Public Lecture, "Direct Dark Matter Searches" which we will
record on DVD for everyone in Ireland.
Prof Sumner is a leading world authority on Dark
Matter, that mysterious substance that makes up most of the matter in the
universe but about which we know almost nothing. Tim Sumner is Professor
in Experimental Astrophysics of the High Energy Physics Group, Imperial College
London. He is a member of the UK Dark Matter
Collaboration, and he investigates evidence to prove the existence of galactic
dark matter formally known as "Weakly Interacting Massive Particles". The
Collaboration is one of four groups around the world looking for
WIMPs.
There is a huge effort worldwide to make direct
detection of a new form of particle thought to make up the dark matter in the
Milky Way. Experiments are carried out in deep underground sites looking for
tiny signals from these particles as they very very occasionally hit target
atoms in the detectors. A positive detection would be a 'double whammy' of
astounding importance for science as it would not only confirm the nature of
dark matter but would also confirm supersymmetry as the way forward for unifying
gravity with quantum mechanics. The scientific evidence for dark matter
will be reviewed followed by a summary of experimental activity around the world
and finally focussing on ICL's own experiment, ZEPLIN-III, being carried out 1km
underground near Whitby in Yorkshire.
Details: Monday June 9, Trinity
College Dublin, Physics Building at 8pm. All welcome. Admission 5euro (or order
DVD for 5euro).
If you cannot get to the lecture in TCD you can
order a DVD (which you can keep) of the lecture for the same price as a seat at
the lecture:
To book your tickets for this lecture click HERE
To order the DVD of this lecture click HERE
2. Graphic Designer / DTP Person
Required
Astronomy Ireland are currently seeking a graphic
designer to help produce our monthly magazine Astronomy & Space. If
you are experienced in graphic design or desktop
publishing please contact info@astronomy.ie
3. Astronaut Touches Down In
Ireland
Astronaut Dan Tani has landed in Ireland and plans
to stay for a whole month. Dan's wife is from Kinsale and he will be
based in Cork for the duration of his stay and has a full schedule of activities
lined up. These activities include lots of school visits, talks and
workshops for children. In February, Dan returned from a six month stay on
the International Space Station. For more information on Dan's activities,
please contact Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork on (021) 435 7917 or
visit www.bco.ie (Workshop details at www.bco.ie/workshop.htm)
STOP PRESS: We have just heard
that Dan Tani will also be on the Marian Finucane show on Saturday morning (June
7th).
Tune in to RTE Radio 1 from
11am-1pm
4. July Lecture- Dublin and
Cork
Astronomy Ireland have decided to treat
everyone this July with two extra special lectures in Dublin and
Cork. "From Babylon to the Big Bang - a History of
Astronomy" by best selling authors and TV producers Heather Couper and Nigel
Henbest. Heather, who was awarded a CBE in 2007, along with
Nigel, are two internationally renowned popular science authors and media
personalities. Heather will present 'Cosmic Quest', a BBC 4 thirty
part series in Summer 2008. This lecture will promote their new book "From
Babylon to the Big Bang - a History of Astronomy"
To book tickets for this lecture click
HERE
To order the DVD of this lecture click
HERE
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