Getting to use the most expensive telescope ever built is a rare privilege that Irishman Dr. Brian Espey paid tribute to at our May Public Lecture on Monday, May 10th. In this entertaining and fascinating lecture, Dr Brian Espey introduced the audience to the Monck Observatory, his research team, and the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched 20 years ago this year.

Dr. Brian Espey gave a fascinating talk about how winds from stars affect the universe and us here on Earth. Using an excellent sense of humour and balloons, he easily explained to a captivated lecture room where red giants come from (stars originally like our Sun which have reached old age and swelled to massive proportions) and how they evolve.

Dr. Espey also presented results of his own research, including incredible images from the Hubble Space Telescope, and before finishing up and going to the Lombard for a social reception, gave us a summary of his work on light pollution and how people around the country can help with getting involved in light pollution studies.

Dr Espey is a physics and astrophysics lecturer in Trinity College Dublin (TCD), as well as a research associate with the School of Cosmic Physics, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS). He has given lectures for Astronomy Ireland in the past which have proved to be a great success and his latest talk on Monday was no exception. To read a full report of the evening click HERE.